AS/A2

Chemistry Teacher Courses

HE

RS

FI
RST

www.teachersfirst.org.uk

TEAC

London and Manchester

September 2010 - May 2011

Theres always something

new to learn

Welcome to Teachers First

Welcome to the Teachers First programme of Chemistry courses for 2010/11. Our aim is
to offer a programme of one-day courses and conferences that support the teaching and
learning of Chemistry using active learning methods through paper-based and technological
approaches.
The courses are specifically designed for all teachers, experienced as well as NQTs, who wish
to develop their subject knowledge through our specialist days and for those looking for new
strategies to stimulate and engage their students.
These workshops are also suitable for graduates who are completing their training in a school
environment under the school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) scheme. PGCE and final
year students would also find our courses very helpful.
We look forward to meeting you on one of our courses.
Kind Regards,
Christine Neary
Conference Director

Christ
ine Neary

AS/A2 Chemistry

Course contents:

Successful delivery of A-level Chemistry through practical tasks: logical

explanations, HSW, ISAs and EMPAs
Teaching AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time
AQA AS/A2 Chemistry: the new specification once through
AQA AS/A2 Chemistry: Improving student performance
Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: The lessons from the summer 2010 examinations
and moving ahead with the specification
Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: Delivering the difficult concepts of the new
specification and improving student outcomes
OCR A2 Chemistry: Teaching Units 4, 5 and 6 of the Specification
Stretch & challenge and helping your Chemistry students get the new A*
Running a Grade 1 Chemistry Department-for new, existing and aspiring Heads
of Department

Successful delivery of A-level Chemistry through

practical tasks: logical explanations, HSW, ISAs and
EMPAs
Course Features
Tutor: Colin Chambers
This exciting new hands-on practical course has been
specifically designed for experienced colleagues, NQTs
and those returning after a break in teaching A-level.
The day examines the integration of ISAs and EMPAs
into schemes of work and A level planning. It is a unique
opportunity to link theory to practical assessment and
provide time to clarify issues surrounding assessment
tasks.
There will be a series of demonstration lectures
designed to illustrate relevant concepts, principles and
theories contained within the specifications. Colin will
provide help, guidance and explanations during the
demonstrations and there will be time for questions and
discussion.

Colin is now Chair of Chemistry A level Examiners and

has been very much involved with the development
of the new specifications. He is a highly experienced
course leader and has received awards from The Royal
Society of Chemistry, University of Liverpool and Salters
Company for his contribution to education. Colin is
also co-author of the series of AQA Chemistry Student
Support Materials published by Collins.

Venue and date

London, Thursday 10 February 2011

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.30am:
10.45am:
1.00pm:
2.00pm:
3.15pm:
4.00pm:

Course fee 200 plus VAT

Registration and coffee

Assessment of practical skills:
How has this changed methods of delivery?
Morning coffee
Demonstration experiments
Linking observations to deductions and predictions
Lunch
Questions asked and answered on HSW issues including:
Issues in AS and A2 organic chemistry
Complex ions and reaction solutions
Cell potential, representation, spontaneous reactions and batteries
Thermodynamics, Born-Haber cycles and metal extractions
Day ends

Teaching AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time

Tutor: Colin Chambers
Course Features
The course is designed specifically for newly qualified
and experienced teachers preparing to teach
AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time. It will offer practical
guidance for the effective delivery of the specifications
including a look at the influence of How Science Works.
Detailed explanations will be provided in order to
increase confidence and understanding in addition to
discussing opportunities for stretch and challenge.

Colin is now Chair of Chemistry A level Examiners and

has been very much involved with the development
of the new specifications. He is a highly experienced
course leader and has received awards from The Royal
Society of Chemistry, University of Liverpool and Salters
Company for his contribution to education. Colin is
also co-author of the series of AQA Chemistry Student
Support Materials published by Collins.

Venues and dates

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course

London, Wednesday 3 November 2010

Manchester, Tuesday 2 November 2010

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.30am:

11.15am:
11.30am:
12.30pm:
1.30pm:

2.30pm:
2.45pm:
3.45pm:
4.00pm:

Registration and coffee

An overview of the content at AS and A2
The inclusion of How Science Works to extend knowledge and understanding
AS session - emphasis will be placed on what the delegates require:
Periodicity
Group II
Group VII
Redox
Hydrocarbons
Halo-alkanes
Alcohols
Morning coffee
AS session continued
Lunch
A2 session - emphasis will be placed on what the delegates require:
Thermodynamics
Born-Haber
Periodicity
Carbonyls
Equlibria
Aromatic compounds
Afternoon tea
A2 session continued
Plenary
Day ends

AQA AS/A2 Chemistry:

The New Specification once through

Course features
Tutor: Graham Curtis
The course will provide teachers with a survey of all
of the Summer 2010 AQA papers and will include a
consideration of the first A2 examinations and the award
of the first A* grades.
There will be a focus on the important issues which help
to enhance the performances of all students.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.30am:

11.15am:
11.30pm:

12.30pm:
1.30pm:

3.00pm:

3.45pm:

Graham is a Principal Examiner and has been very

much involved with the development of the new
specifications. He is an experienced course leader and a
recently retired Head of Science. Graham is also coauthor of the series of Student Support Materials for
Chemistry published by Collins

Venues and dates

London, Thursday 14 October 2010
Manchester, Wednesday 13 October 2010

Registration and coffee

Key features of the 2010 examinations: An overview
A review of Unit 1 June examination
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics
Questions which proved difficult
Morning break
An overview of the Unit 2 June examination
Topics that were well answered
A focus on the more difficult topics
Mis-conceptions and questions which proved difficult
Lunch
A review of Unit 4 June examination
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics and questions which proved difficult.
Stretch and challenge
Motivating and enthusing
Integrating HSW
A review of Unit 5 June examination
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics and questions which proved difficult.
Stretch and challenge
Motivating and enthusing
Integrating HSW
A review of practical skills and tasks
Assessment criteria and the route to take?
ISAs plus PSA or EMPAs
Day ends

AS/A2 AQA Chemistry:

Improving Student Performance

Course features
Tutor: Graham Curtis
The course will be suitable for teachers new to the AQA
specification or those who have settled into the course
and are looking to raise their students average grades.
The course will show how building on the fundamental
ideas of the subject at AS can make the more difficult
topic areas at A2 become much more accessible.
Time will be spent showing teachers how they can
help their students understanding and improve their
performance.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Graham is a Principal Examiner and has been very

much involved with the development of the new
specifications. He is an experienced course leader and a
recently retired Head of Science. Graham is also coauthor of the series of Student Support Materials for
Chemistry published by Collins

Venues and dates

London, Tuesday 1 March 2011
London, Wednesday 25 May 2011
Manchester, Tuesday 17 May 2011

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.15am:
11.15am:
11.30am:

12.30pm:
1.30am:
2.30am:
2.45am:
3.45am:
4.00pm:

Registration and coffee

Introduction and aims of the day
Bonding, Structure and Periodicity
Bridging the gap from GCSE and showing how a good understanding of
structure and bonding can improve progress in all areas of the subject.
Morning coffee
Physical at AS: Energetics and Redox
Understanding energetics at AS and preparing for the extension of the topic
to include Entropy and Free Energy at A2. Similarly understanding Redox at
AS and extending the topic to include Cells and Electrode Potentials at A2.
Lunch
Organic made easy
How structure and bonding can bring understanding for all eight
mechanisms at AS and at A2.
Afternoon break
Physical at A2: Equilibria and pH
Calculations involving equilibria and all types of pH questions including
buffers
Plenary a chance to review and ask further questions
Day ends

Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry:

The lessons from the summer 2010 examinations and
moving ahead with the specification

Course features
The course will provide teachers with the opportunity
to reflect on the June 2010 examinations and also
to identify important issues which help to enhance
student performance. In addition there will be a focus
on the demands of the new A* and how these may be
addressed.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Tutor: George Facer

George is a highly experienced teacher, author and Chair
of Examiners for a major awarding body. George has
been a Head of Chemistry and Science and a deputy
head teacher. He has also worked in schools abroad
and has written numerous textbooks for AS and A2
Chemistry.

Venue and date

London, Wednesday 29 September 2010

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:

11.00am:
11.15am:

12.30pm:
1.30pm:
2.15pm:
2.45pm:
3.00pm:
3.30pm:
3.45pm:

Registration and coffee

Overview of the AS
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics
Questions which proved difficult
Morning coffee
Overview of the A2
Topics that were well answered
A focus on the more difficult topics
Misconceptions and questions which proved difficult
Lunch
Assessment of practical skills
GPC, observation, measurement and preparation
Resources
Question and answer session
Stretch and challenge and the A* award
Plenary
Day ends

Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: Delivering the challenging areas

of the specification and improving student outcomes
Course features
Tutor: George Facer
This course is for teachers who are looking for ways to
develop their approach to challenging and guiding their
students through AS and A2. We will look at a range of
activities that will help students gain the skills that they
need to acquire good subject knowledge and apply it
effectively. Time will also be spent discussing effective
strategies when linking practical tasks to theory.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

George is a highly experienced teacher, author and Chair

of Examiners for a major awarding body. George has
been a Head of Chemistry and Science and a deputy
head teacher. He has also worked in schools abroad
and is author of numerous textbooks for AS and A2
Chemistry.

Venue and date

London, Wednesday 16 March 2011

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.45am:
11.15am:
11.30am:
12.00pm:
12.30pm:
1.30pm:
2.00pm:
2.45pm:
3.15pm:
3.45pm:
4.00pm:

Registration and coffee

Multiple choice
How to tackle different types of questions
Green chemistry
Open ended questions
Morning break
Intermolecular forces
Melting and boiling points and solubility
Born Haber
Experimental and theoretical lattice energies
Lunch
Mechanisms
What is required by the examiners
Entropy and equilibrium
Why reactions proceed and how far
Afternoon break
Redox and electrode potentials
Linked to entropy
Plenary
Day ends

OCR A2 Chemistry:
Teaching Units 4, 5 and 6 of the Specification
Course features
The course has been specifically designed for teachers
who wish to understand the requirements of the new
topics contained in the new specification. The emphasis
will be placed on the preparation of the candidates
for the examinations. There will be an opportunity
to consider what will be expected in the Unit exams
including examples of the type of question that may be
expected including stretch and challenge. Time will also
be spent considering the practical tasks that support the
specification content.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Tutors: Dr Mike Smith and John Older

Mike is a Principal Examiner for a major awarding
body and is currently Assistant Principal of a large and
successful sixth form college. He has written revision
guides for OCR chemistry.
John was a Vice-Master of a London school and has
been a Principal Moderator for many years.
Both Mike and John were actively involved in the
revision and development of the specifications and are
joint authors of major textbooks covering the new AS
and A2 specifications.

Venue and date

London, Friday 12th November 2010

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:
10.45am:
11.10am:
11.25am:
12.00pm:
12.45pm:
1.45pm:
2.15pm:

2.55pm:
3.20pm:
3.45pm:

Registration and coffee

An overview of Units 4 and 5
Unit 4- Whats new?
Chirality in pharmaceutical synthesis
Chromotography
Morning coffee
Unit 4- Spectroscopy
13 C NMRCombining information from spectra
The assessment of practical skills
The requirements of the tasks
Lunch
Unit 5- Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
Predicting the feasibility of reactions
Unit 5- Electrode potentials and fuel cells
Writing redox equations
Measuring standard potentials
Predicting the likelihood of a reaction
Fuel cells
Unit 5- Transition metals
Ligands and complex ions
Stability constants
Stretch and challenge
What may be expected?
Day ends

Stretch & challenge and helping your

Chemistry students get the new A*

Course features
Tutor: Tim Jolliff
This course will inspire and equip teachers to give their
students the best chance of accessing the new A* grade
at A2. It will help them adapt their lessons to challenge
and stimulate their most able pupils. The day will be
bursting with proven ideas and resources ready to use
right away in school.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Tim is an experienced teacher, author, educational

consultant and trainer. For the academic year 2006-2007
he was the Royal Society of Chemistrys School Teacher
Fellow writing Chemistry for the Gifted & Talented.
These resources are designed to extend and enrich
gifted students in their regular chemistry lessons. He has
been part of the RSCs Olympiad selection committee
and has run the Chemistry online discussion forum for
NAGTY. One of his students was given an award from the
RSC this year having scored 600 out of 600 UMS points
in her A level.

Venue and date

London, Wednesday 2 March 2011

Course fee 195 plus VAT

9.45am:
10.00am:

Registration and coffee

Overview and approach
What do we need to get an A*
What kind of questions discriminate between A and A*
What is the A* for and who will need it
What should we be doing with our gifted students
Learning the facts the interesting way
Resources & competitions

11.15am:
11.30am:

Morning coffee
Getting the marks in the exam
Using mark schemes
Strategies for free responses questions
Developing creative and critical thinking skills
Thinking about thinking
Lunch
Developing fundamental understanding
Links between rates, equilibria and entropy
Teaching electrode potentials
Getting an overview of organic chemistry
Oxbridge interviews
Plenary
Day ends

12.45pm:
1.45pm:

3.30pm:
3.45pm:

Running a Grade 1 Chemistry Department:

for new, existing and aspiring Heads of Department
Course features
This course has been specifically designed for those
who want to improve the success and raise the profile
of their department. Delegates will consider successful
strategies focusing on curriculum vision, self evaluation,
raising attainment, day-to-day administration and
effective resourcing. Time will also be spent considering
the issues surrounding retention.

Delegates will receive a file and/or CD

containing detailed notes of the course

Tutor: Martin Bluemel

Martin is a highly experienced teacher and Head of
Department at a leading school in the south west. He is
a Principal examiner for a major awarding body.

Venue and date

London, Wednesday 9 February 2011

Course fee 195 plus VAT

10.00am:

Registration and coffee

10.15am:

The role of the Head of Department

Identifying the essential components of leading and managing a chemistry
department
Morning coffee
Effective administration
Managing the department and dealing with day-to-day administration
Lunch
Monitoring and evaluation
Acting upon strengths and weaknesses
Afternoon tea
Raising standards in the Chemistry Department
Raising expectations and increasing challenge in Chemistry teaching.
Improving students performance
Plenary
Day ends

11.15am:
11.35am:
12.35pm:
1.35pm:
2.35pm:
2.55pm:
3.45pm
4.00pm:

Teacher Day Booking Form

)0844 800 5292

20844 800 5295

8bookings@teachersfirst.org.uk

Or return the booking form to us at the address given below. We will then confirm your booking and issue an invoice.
Payment is required 2 weeks before the date of the workshop.
Course details will be sent out to you about 10 days before the course, after the receipt of payment.
Please telephone us if you have not received them by this time.
Further information on this and other events can be found on our website www.teachersfirst.org.uk
Teacher Courses

Successful delivery of A-level Chemistry

through practical tasks: logical explanations,
HSW, ISAs and EMPAs

Venue

Date

Course fee per

head (plus VAT)

London

10/02/11

200

London

03/11/10

195

Manchester

02/11/10

195

London

14/10/10

195

Manchester

13/10/10

195

London

01/03/11

195

London

26/05/11

195

Manchester

25/05/11

195

Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: The lessons from the

summer 2010 examinations and moving ahead
with the specification

London

29/09/10

195

Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: Delivering the

challenging concepts of the new specification
and improving student outcomes

London

16/03/11

195

OCR A2 Chemistry: Teaching Units 4,5 and 6 of

the new specification

London

12/11/10

195

Stretch & challenge and helping your Chemistry

students get the new A*

London

02/03/11

195

Running a Grade 1 Chemistry Departmentfor new, existing and aspiring Heads of

Department

London

09/02/11

195

Number of
places required

Teaching AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time

AQA AS/A2 Chemistry: the new specification

once through

AS/A2 AQA Chemistry: Improving Student

Performance

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RS

FI
RST

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Office e-mail address
Delegate e-mail address

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Delegate
School / College
Address & Postcode

Please return to:

Theres always something
Teachers First LLP, PO Box 659, Stockport, SK2 7WF.
new to learn
Teachers First reserves the right to amend the programme where circumstances dictate.