ABOUT THIS COURSE

This innovative course is tailored for all A-Level Chemistry teachers, irrespective of their chosen exam board. It delves into an in-depth exploration of high-quality curriculum structure, planning, programming, the progression through Years 12 and 13, encompassing Key Essentials, Key Concepts, the Wider Curriculum or ‘Super-Curriculum’, assessment, marking, feedback, effective study skills and habits, and thorough exam preparation. The course addresses the delicate balance between creative autonomy and academic rigour. It sheds light on proven curriculum strategies to stretch and challenge adept Chemistry students, as well as strategies for curriculum adaptation to cater to weaker or under-confident students. The course empowers teachers to critically evaluate and enhance their existing KS5 Curriculum, with the ultimate goal of elevating student achievement at A-Level, while upholding consistently high standards.

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Attain a comprehensive comprehension of the fundamental principles and processes of curriculum design, and master their effective application in crafting a coherent, flexible, and enriched Chemistry A-Level curriculum
• Acquire techniques to lay down the foundational pillars and key concepts right at the commencement of the course
• Gain insight into the integration of an enriched ‘wider’ curriculum, contributing to an enriched learning experience
• Learn methods to ensure that the ‘wider’ or super-curriculum directly enriches, broadens, and deepens student learning and achievement
• Enhance your capacity to monitor and track student progress, while pinpointing areas necessitating improvement and intervention
• Absorb innovative approaches to infuse historical, social, and cultural context into in-depth learning
• Establish a diverse and comprehensive curriculum that flows seamlessly as a dynamic journey throughout Years 12 and 13

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PROGRAMME

Crafting a Rich and Flexible Curriculum at KS5/A-Level

10.00 – 10.40am

• Devise an intricately planned, ambitious, and pertinent curriculum, thoughtfully sequenced across Years 12 and 13
• Ensure meticulous alignment with examination specifications
• Deconstruct the components of curriculum design by assessing your current A-Level curriculum
• Employ practical strategies to create a broad and cohesive course of study that encourages, endorses, and stimulates a holistic approach

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Discussion; coffee break

10.40 – 11.20am

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Establishing Key Pillars and Concepts at the Commencement of the Course First Six Weeks

11.20 – 11.20am

• Establish the potency of Chemistry – its mechanisms and significance
• Identify and rectify gaps in fundamental Chemistry theory comprehension
• Set high academic benchmarks and integrate cultural diversity from the outset
• Infuse historical, social, and cultural context into initial curriculum stages
• Explore the extent to which you’re integrating this into other curricular domains, optimising co-curricular links for broader contextual understanding

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Crafting a Fresh, Innovative, and Flexible Year 12 & Year 13 Curriculum

11.20 – 1.00pm

•  Enhance comprehension through practical experiments
• Ensure your curriculum nurtures learning spaces that enrich student experiences, interests, imagination, and creativity, with strategies for optimal achievement
• Integrate assessment, marking, and feedback to set smart goals, embedding assessment into curriculum planning to accelerate student progress

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Lunch and informal discussion

1.00 – 2.00pm

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Integrating the ‘Super-Curriculum’ into Curriculum Programming & Structure

2.00 – 2.45pm

•  Explore strategies to seamlessly incorporate the ‘wider’ curriculum, enriching learning and fostering high-standard outcomes
• Transition students from GCSE to A-Level competency
• Embrace the essential history and philosophy that underpin A-Level Chemistry
• Instil effective strategies for incorporating wider reading into your A-Level Chemistry course
• Challenge adept students with higher-order thinking, advancing intellectual curiosity
• Integrate the growth of higher-order thinking and intellectual curiosity into curriculum planning
• Cultivate thoughtful and resilient learners who relish learning through your curriculum
• Enhance experiences to embrace cultural diversity, context, and enrichment

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Discussion, afternoon tea

2.45 – 2.55pm

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Evaluating Curriculum Effectiveness: Attaining Academic Excellence

2.55 – 3.40pm

• Harness assessment data for agile curriculum refinement
• Uphold rigorous assessment protocols to promote rapid progress
• Implement effective monitoring and tracking systems for individual and group-wide student advancement
• Embed impactful feedback techniques into your curriculum teaching and learning cycle to expedite student progress
• Design intervention strategies to foster higher-order thinking in capable students and accelerate learning attainment in weaker counterparts

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Nurturing Study Excellence: Exam Techniques and Strategies

3.40 – 4.00pm

• Develop practical approaches for cultivating superior learning and study skills and habits
• Employ strategies that promote successful students’ study skills and habits – incorporating lesson starters, retrieval and spacing techniques, quality-first teaching to challenge adept students and support those with lower prior attainment
• Explore specific revision strategies tailored for A-Level Chemistry
• Utilise mock exams as formative assessment tools
• Motivate students to proactively drive their own learning journey
• Collaboratively cultivate students’ key examination skills to maximise their potential for success