Science Curriculum - Chemistry

Why is the study of Chemistry important?

Chemistry is the study of elements and the compounds they form, the changes they undergo, and the natural laws that describe these changes. Chemistry is everywhere and in everything we touch, smell and see.

This physical science provides our students with the knowledge and understanding to describe and explain the world around them, from the daily products we use, to the food we eat, and the clothes we wear, to the materials with which we build our homes.

The purposely sequenced Chemistry strand of our curriculum both assesses and builds upon each individual student’s prior knowledge and experiences.  Students will explore and investigate the key Chemical principles such as the Particle Model, Atomic Structure, the Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions and Acids and Alkalis.  Students will gain an understanding of how the topics connect and interact together; forming an appreciation of the integral role that they play in wider environment.

Students will have the continual opportunity to develop and perfect their practical skills, with key ‘working scientifically’ criteria interwoven through each unit across the 5 years of study. Most importantly, students will study a Chemistry curriculum relevant to their own lives in Hull, linking to local industries, attractions, sports teams and more. It is our firm belief that student’s engagement will be greater if what they studying is made relevant to their life growing up in the City of Hull and the surrounding area.

What skills will the study of Chemistry teach you?

As a student of chemistry at Sirius Academy West, with our state of the art facilities, we are able to bring the chemical world to life through fascinating and engaging practicals.  Our bespoke sequenced curriculum will teach students to:

• Understand key Chemistry concepts and keep up to date with emerging local, national and global developments
• Create and interpret models that support this understanding
• Carry out experiments and link experimental findings to chemical theories
• Present, interpret and evaluate experimental data
• Apply mathematical skills to solve problems
• Develop a deeper understanding of how scientific concepts are relevant to our everyday life

How does your study of Chemistry support your study in other subjects?

The Chemistry curriculum strand is interleaved with both the Biology and Physics strands of Science. This allows students to appreciate the link between all of the scientific disciplines and how the skills learnt can be applied to many facets of the curriculum. If students can transfer the skills learnt in one area to another area then they have truly mastered their understanding and will be able to apply the underpinning Science to unfamiliar contexts.

At Sirius Academy West, STEM provision is real strength of the school. Our curriculum allows all students to use skills developed in Mathematics, Technology and other subjects in different contexts in the Science curriculum. For example, students will use the algebraic skills developed in Maths to re-arrange scientific formula. The extra- curricular opportunities provided ensure that the sequenced curriculum is supplemented with expertise from local Science and industry. We believe that this helps students understand the relevance and ignites their curiosity further, with many of them choosing to pursue scientific careers or further study.

Key Assessment Objectives
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• Scientific ideas • Scientific techniques • Scientific procedures
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of:
• Scientific ideas • Scientific enquiry • Scientific techniques and procedures
AO3: Analyse information and ideas to:
 • Interpret and evaluate • Make judgements and draw conclusions • Develop and improve experimental procedure

How can Chemistry support your future?

Students will be immersed in the study of Chemistry from years 7 to 11. Our aim is to encourage as many students as possible to continue their study beyond the compulsory school years as we offer the rigorous A Level Chemistry course at Key Stage 5.
Careers that the study of Chemistry supports includes:

• Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
• Biomedical Science
• Teaching
• Oil Industry
• Chemical Engineering
• Material Scientists
• Forensic Scientist

If students do not choose this career pathway, or it is not appropriate for them, we strongly believe that the study of Chemistry will support their everyday life as a key member of society, especially with their newly developed transferable skills. For instance, understanding current issues both locally, nationally and globally ensures that students are able to keep up to date with current affairs. An understanding of Chemistry also allows them to have an awareness of their surroundings, especially with the growth of the renewables sector and chemical industry in Hull.

Understanding the origins and processes of the materials around them will help them to consider their wider impacts on the environment and comprehend the continued search for new resources in the midst of the climate change crisis.

In addition to the content above, students studying the KS4 Triple Science course will also gain the following knowledge from the Chemistry strand:

• Nanoparticles
• Atom economy
• Titrations
• Fuel cells
• Alcohols and carboxylic acids
• Flame emission spectroscopy
• Haber process
• NPK fertilisers

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