1. AS/A2
Chemistry Teacher Courses
London and Manchester
September 2010 - May 2011
RS
HE
FI
TEAC
RST
www.teachersfirst.org.uk There’s always something
new to learn

2. 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
Chrisine Neary
t
Conference Director
Course contents:
AS/A2 Chemistry
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

3. 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. Colin is now Chair of Chemistry A level Examiners and
The day examines the integration of ISAs and EMPAs has been very much involved with the development
into schemes of work and A level planning. It is a unique of the new specifications. He is a highly experienced
opportunity to link theory to practical assessment and course leader and has received awards from The Royal
provide time to clarify issues surrounding assessment Society of Chemistry, University of Liverpool and Salters
tasks. Company for his contribution to education. Colin is
There will be a series of demonstration lectures also co-author of the series of AQA Chemistry Student
designed to illustrate relevant concepts, principles and Support Materials published by Collins.
theories contained within the specifications. Colin will
provide help, guidance and explanations during the
demonstrations and there will be time for questions and
discussion.
Venue and date
London, Thursday 10 February 2011
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD Course fee £200 plus VAT
containing detailed notes of the course
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Assessment of practical skills:
How has this changed methods of delivery?
10.30am: Morning coffee
10.45am: Demonstration experiments
Linking observations to deductions and predictions
1.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Questions asked and answered on HSW issues including:
Issues in AS and A2 organic chemistry
Complex ions and reaction solutions
3.15pm: Cell potential, representation, spontaneous reactions and batteries
Thermodynamics, Born-Haber cycles and metal extractions
4.00pm: Day ends

4. Teaching AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time
Tutor: Colin Chambers
Course Features 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
The course is designed specifically for newly qualified
course leader and has received awards from The Royal
and experienced teachers preparing to teach
Society of Chemistry, University of Liverpool and Salters
AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time. It will offer practical
Company for his contribution to education. Colin is
guidance for the effective delivery of the specifications
also co-author of the series of AQA Chemistry Student
including a look at the influence of How Science Works.
Support Materials published by Collins.
Detailed explanations will be provided in order to
increase confidence and understanding in addition to
discussing opportunities for stretch and challenge.
Venues and dates
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD London, Wednesday 3 November 2010
containing detailed notes of the course Manchester, Tuesday 2 November 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: An overview of the content at AS and A2
The inclusion of How Science Works to extend knowledge and understanding
10.30am: AS session - emphasis will be placed on what the delegates require:
Periodicity
Group II
Group VII
Redox
Hydrocarbons
Halo-alkanes
Alcohols
11.15am: Morning coffee
11.30am: AS session continued
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: A2 session - emphasis will be placed on what the delegates require:
Thermodynamics
Born-Haber
Periodicity
Carbonyls
Equlibria
Aromatic compounds
2.30pm: Afternoon tea
2.45pm: A2 session continued
3.45pm: Plenary
4.00pm: Day ends

5. 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 Graham is a Principal Examiner and has been very
of the first A* grades. much involved with the development of the new
There will be a focus on the important issues which help specifications. He is an experienced course leader and a
to enhance the performances of all students. recently retired Head of Science. Graham is also co-
author of the series of Student Support Materials for
Chemistry published by Collins
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course
Venues and dates
Course fee £195 plus VAT London, Thursday 14 October 2010
Manchester, Wednesday 13 October 2010
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Key features of the 2010 examinations: An overview
10.30am: A review of Unit 1 June examination
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics
Questions which proved difficult
11.15am: Morning break
11.30pm: 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
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: 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
3.00pm: 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
3.45pm: Day ends

6. 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. Graham is a Principal Examiner and has been very
The course will show how building on the fundamental much involved with the development of the new
ideas of the subject at AS can make the more difficult specifications. He is an experienced course leader and a
topic areas at A2 become much more accessible. recently retired Head of Science. Graham is also co-
Time will be spent showing teachers how they can author of the series of Student Support Materials for
help their students’ understanding and improve their Chemistry published by Collins
performance.
Venues and dates
London, Tuesday 1 March 2011
London, Wednesday 25 May 2011
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD Manchester, Tuesday 17 May 2011
containing detailed notes of the course
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Introduction and aims of the day
10.15am: 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.
11.15am: Morning coffee
11.30am: 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.
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30am: Organic made easy
How structure and bonding can bring understanding for all eight
mechanisms at AS and at A2.
2.30am: Afternoon break
2.45am: Physical at A2: Equilibria and pH
Calculations involving equilibria and all types of pH questions including
buffers
3.45am: Plenary – a chance to review and ask further questions
4.00pm: Day ends

7. Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry:
The lessons from the summer 2010 examinations and
moving ahead with the specification
Course features
Tutor: George Facer
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 George is a highly experienced teacher, author and Chair
student performance. In addition there will be a focus of Examiners for a major awarding body. George has
on the demands of the new A* and how these may be been a Head of Chemistry and Science and a deputy
addressed. head teacher. He has also worked in schools abroad
and has written numerous textbooks for AS and A2
Chemistry.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course
Venue and date
London, Wednesday 29 September 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Overview of the AS
Topics that were well answered
Misunderstood topics
Questions which proved difficult
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: Overview of the A2
Topics that were well answered
A focus on the more difficult topics
Misconceptions and questions which proved difficult
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Assessment of practical skills
GPC, observation, measurement and preparation
2.15pm: Resources
2.45pm: Question and answer session
3.00pm: Stretch and challenge and the A* award
3.30pm: Plenary
3.45pm: Day ends

8. 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 George is a highly experienced teacher, author and Chair
activities that will help students gain the skills that they of Examiners for a major awarding body. George has
need to acquire good subject knowledge and apply it been a Head of Chemistry and Science and a deputy
effectively. Time will also be spent discussing effective head teacher. He has also worked in schools abroad
strategies when linking practical tasks to theory. and is author of numerous textbooks for AS and A2
Chemistry.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course Venue and date
London, Wednesday 16 March 2011
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Multiple choice
How to tackle different types of questions
10.45am: Green chemistry
Open ended questions
11.15am: Morning break
11.30am: Intermolecular forces
Melting and boiling points and solubility
12.00pm: Born Haber
Experimental and theoretical lattice energies
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Mechanisms
What is required by the examiners
2.00pm: Entropy and equilibrium
Why reactions proceed and how far
2.45pm: Afternoon break
3.15pm: Redox and electrode potentials
Linked to entropy
3.45pm: Plenary
4.00pm: Day ends

9. OCR A2 Chemistry:
Teaching Units 4, 5 and 6 of the Specification
Course features
Tutors: Dr Mike Smith and John Older
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 Mike is a Principal Examiner for a major awarding
will be placed on the preparation of the candidates body and is currently Assistant Principal of a large and
for the examinations. There will be an opportunity successful sixth form college. He has written revision
to consider what will be expected in the Unit exams guides for OCR chemistry.
including examples of the type of question that may be John was a Vice-Master of a London school and has
expected including ‘stretch and challenge’. Time will also been a Principal Moderator for many years.
be spent considering the practical tasks that support the Both Mike and John were actively involved in the
specification content. revision and development of the specifications and are
joint authors of major textbooks covering the new AS
and A2 specifications.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course Venue and date
London, Friday 12th November 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: An overview of Units 4 and 5
10.45am: Unit 4- What’s new?
Chirality in pharmaceutical synthesis
Chromotography
11.10am: Morning coffee
11.25am: Unit 4- Spectroscopy
13 C NMR-
Combining information from spectra
12.00pm: The assessment of practical skills
The requirements of the tasks
12.45pm: Lunch
1.45pm: Unit 5- Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
Predicting the feasibility of reactions
2.15pm: Unit 5- Electrode potentials and fuel cells
Writing redox equations
Measuring standard potentials
Predicting the likelihood of a reaction
Fuel cells
2.55pm: Unit 5- Transition metals
Ligands and complex ions
Stability constants
3.20pm: Stretch and challenge
What may be expected?
3.45pm: Day ends

10. 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 Tim is an experienced teacher, author, educational
and stimulate their most able pupils. The day will be consultant and trainer. For the academic year 2006-2007
bursting with proven ideas and resources ready to use he was the Royal Society of Chemistry’s School Teacher
right away in school. 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 RSC’s Olympiad selection committee
and has run the Chemistry online discussion forum for
NAGTY. One of his students was given an award from the
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD RSC this year having scored 600 out of 600 UMS points
containing detailed notes of the course in her A level.
Venue and date
London, Wednesday 2 March 2011
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: 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: Morning coffee
11.30am: Getting the marks in the exam
Using mark schemes
Strategies for free responses questions
Developing creative and critical thinking skills
Thinking about thinking
12.45pm: Lunch
1.45pm: Developing fundamental understanding
Links between rates, equilibria and entropy
Teaching electrode potentials
Getting an overview of organic chemistry
Oxbridge interviews
3.30pm: Plenary
3.45pm: Day ends

11. Running a Grade 1 Chemistry Department:
for new, existing and aspiring Heads of Department
Course features
Tutor: Martin Bluemel
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 Martin is a highly experienced teacher and Head of
strategies focusing on curriculum vision, self evaluation, Department at a leading school in the south west. He is
raising attainment, day-to-day administration and a Principal examiner for a major awarding body.
effective resourcing. Time will also be spent considering
the issues surrounding retention.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD Venue and date
containing detailed notes of the course
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
11.15am: Morning coffee
11.35am: Effective administration
Managing the department and dealing with day-to-day administration
12.35pm: Lunch
1.35pm: Monitoring and evaluation
Acting upon strengths and weaknesses
2.35pm: Afternoon tea
2.55pm: Raising standards in the Chemistry Department
Raising expectations and increasing challenge in Chemistry teaching.
Improving students’ performance
3.45pm Plenary
4.00pm: Day ends

12. 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 Venue Date Course fee per Number of
head (plus VAT) places required
Successful delivery of A-level Chemistry
through practical tasks: logical explanations, London 10/02/11 £200
HSW, ISAs and EMPAs
London 03/11/10 £195
Teaching AS/A2 Chemistry for the first time
Manchester 02/11/10 £195
London 14/10/10 £195
AQA AS/A2 Chemistry: the new specification
once through
Manchester 13/10/10 £195
London 01/03/11 £195
AS/A2 AQA Chemistry: Improving Student
London 26/05/11 £195
Performance
Manchester 25/05/11 £195
Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: The lessons from the
summer 2010 examinations and moving ahead London 29/09/10 £195
with the specification
Edexcel AS/A2 Chemistry: Delivering the
challenging concepts of the new specification London 16/03/11 £195
and improving student outcomes
OCR A2 Chemistry: Teaching Units 4,5 and 6 of
London 12/11/10 £195
the new specification
Stretch & challenge and helping your Chemistry
London 02/03/11 £195
students get the new A*
Running a Grade 1 Chemistry Department-
for new, existing and aspiring Heads of London 09/02/11 £195
Department
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There’s 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.