KS4 Chemistry

KS4 Overview

GCSE study in chemistry provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students
should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
They should be helped to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are both
inter-linked, and are of universal application. These key ideas include:

the use of conceptual models and theories to make sense of the observed diversity of natura phenomena
the assumption that every effect has one or more cause
that change is driven by differences between different objects and systems when they interact
that many such interactions occur over a distance without direct contact
that science progresses through a cycle of hypothesis, practical experimentation, observation, theory development and review
that quantitative analysis is a central element both of many theories and of scientific method of inquiry.

Chemistry should be studied in ways that help students to develop curiosity about the natural world, insight into how science works, and appreciation of its relevance to their everyday lives. The scope and nature of such study should be broad, coherent, practical and satisfying, and thereby encourage students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by the subject and its achievements.

Building on KS3 and preparing for KS5…

Much of the core knowledge taught at KS3 provides the foundations for studying chemistry at much greater depth and breadth at KS4. Students develop their understanding of chemistry and are challenged to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar contexts. The core knowledge of the KS3 and 4 curricula form the foundation of KS5 study and in addition, the KS4 curriculum provides more opportunities to begin to learn about concepts that are studied at A Level through additional content such as equilibria and energy cells.

KS4 Assessment

There are six assessment pieces per year at Key Stage 4 and retrieval practice in every lesson. Students receive feedback from teachers and are given reflection time to highlight misconceptions, gaps and areas of expertise. Students are given opportunities to close gaps and consolidate their knowledge and understanding. Verbal feedback is given during lessons regularly. Students are given time develop their knowledge and skills in response to this feedback. Exam style questions are used as a teaching and assessment tool in lessons as students’ progress through the course.

KS4 Content

Y10 Content Autumn	Salts and neutralisation: reactions of acids with metals and redox, alkalis and bases; preparation of salts; pH scale and neutralisation. Energy: Exothermic and endothermic reactions; energy changes; bond energy calculations; cells and hydrogen fuel cells. Rates: measuring rates of reactions; factors affecting rates; collision theory and catalysts.
Y10 Content Spring	Structure and bonding: types of bonding; changes of state; properties of ionic, metallic, and covalent substances; nanoparticles. Periodic Table: development of the periodic table; Group 1 properties and reactions; Group 7 properties and reactions
Y10 Content Summer	Using our resources: finite and renewable resources; potable water; water treatment; metal extraction; life cycle assessment. Earth resources: rusting and alloys; ceramics; composite and fertilisers.
Y11 Content Autumn	Organic chemistry: crude oil; fractional distillation; properties of hydrocarbons and cracking. Reversible reactions: dynamic equilibrium; changing conditions; Haber process. Quantitative chemistry: relative mass; moles; reacting masses; conservation of mass; concentration; titration.
Y11 Content Spring	Further organic chemistry: alcohols, carboxylic acids; esters; polymers. Analysis: flame tests; qualitative test for anions.
Y11 Content Summer	Earth resources and using resources: finite and renewable resources; potable water; water treatment; metal extraction; life cycle assessment; recycling.

Exam Board and website link

Exam board: AQA

AQA | Science | GCSE | Combined Science: Trilogy

AQA | Science | GCSE | Chemistry

Details of external assessment

Combined Science (Chemistry)

Paper 1: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.

Written exam: 1 hour 15minutes
70 marks
16.7% of GCSE

Paper 2: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.

Written exam: 1 hour 15minutes
70 marks

16.7% of GCSE

The remining percentage is made up with two papers in biology and two papers in physics.

GCSE Chemistry

Paper 1: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.