Chemistry

Exam Board & Specification: OCR A-Level Chemistry (H432)

Subject Lead:

Ms S Picard

What will students study at Key Stage 5?

Year 12: Foundation topics build quantitative fluency: atomic structure and periodicity, bonding and structure, energetics, kinetics and equilibria, with core organic foundations (functional groups, mechanisms) and analytical techniques. Required practicals emphasise precision, accuracy, risk assessment and evaluation.

Year 13: Second year extends to transition metals/redox, thermodynamics and equilibria, aromatic chemistry, polymers and multistep organic synthesis with spectroscopy. Mixed‑topic calculations and structured analysis prepare for linear papers, linking practical evidence to theory.

What do assessments test?

• AO1: Recall and understanding of chemical concepts, terminology and procedures
• AO2: Application of chemistry to novel contexts and quantitative problems
• AO3: Analysis/evaluation of data and practical techniques (required practicals)

What are the expectations of my child in this subject?

Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.

What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?

Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).

How can I best support my child in this subject?

Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.