1. 2Objectives: 3 3Courses 4 4Division of Lessons and their Timing

1Introduction to the Chemistry Department 3

1.1Ethos of Chemistry. 3

1.2Objectives: 3

1.3Courses 4

1.4Division of Lessons and their Timings. 4

1.5Admission to IB Higher Chemistry courses - Years 12 and 13 5

2Staff 5

2.1Staff list 5

2.2Staff responsibilities 5

2.3Career Professional Development Policy 6

2.4Sharing best practice within the department 6

2.5Peer Observation Form 7

2.6Mini Observation Schedule 9

2.7Internal Chemistry Department Formal Lesson Observations 10

2.8Policy timetable/teaching group allocations to staff 11

2.9Teacher timetables 2013 to 2014 11

2.10Policy for covering staff 11

2.11Protracted Absence 11

3Department ESL policy 12

3.1Outline assessment scheme of work for teaching 12

3.2ESL Topic books 12

3.3Schemes of Work and ESL 13

4Chemistry Department Level Descriptors 13

4.1iGCSE Grade Descriptors: 13

4.2IB Chemistry Grade Descriptors 14

4.2.1iGCSE Grade Descriptors 17

5Departmental Policies 19

5.1Communications with parents/guardians policy 19

5.2Departmental Meeting Expectations 19

5.3Safety policy 21

5.4Risk assessment and planning before a lesson 22

5.5Organisation of routines during and between lessons. 22

5.6Where to find information. 23

5.7Equal opportunities policy - general 25

5.8Financial procedures policy 31

6Marking and Assessment 32

6.1Assessment Scheme of Work 32

6.2IB Internal Assessment Rubric 34

6.3iGCSE Lab Write Up Assessment Rubric 36

6.4Presentation Rubric (Adapted from ToK) for both iGCSE and IB 37

6.4.1A Identification of knowledge issue 37

6.4.2B Treatment of knowledge issues (ToK) 37

6.4.3D Connections (ToK) 37

6.5IB chemistry essay (based on the IB Extended Essay Rubric) 38

6.6iGCSE Chemistry Literature Review and Essay Marking Scheme 39

6.6.1Demonstrating an Understanding of Chemistry (UC) 39

6.6.2Demonstrating an understanding of good Scientific Writing (SciW) 40

6.6.3Demonstrating an understanding of good English 40

6.7iGCSE Personal skills end of year 11 project rubric 41

6.8Use of Turnitin.com 41

6.9Using Turnitin to prevent plagiarism 41

6.10Using the GradeMark feature of Turnitin 42

6.11Formative/summative assessment of key pieces of assessed work: 42

6.12Formative/Summative marking of h/w or non assessment based mark: 42

6.13Spelling, punctuation and grammar: 43

6.14Assessment trackers 43

6.14.1Chemistry Department Assessment Tracker 44

6.15Grading 45

6.16Homework Policy 45

6.17Appraisal and Monitoring 45

6.17.1Work Scrutiny 45

6.17.2iGCSE and IB Teaching Calendar 47

7Supporting Students 48

7.1Support arrangements for students struggling with chemistry 48

7.2Revision Process for years 11 and 13 in Chemistry 50

7.3IB revision Timetable 52

7.4iGCSE Revision Timetable 53

7.5Enrichment Policies 54

7.6Chemistry Department Policies on International Mindedness, ToK and IB Learner Profile 54

7.7Promoting ToK in lessons 54

7.8Promoting the IB Learner Profile 55

7.9Medicine and Biochemistry Society 55

7.9.1Molecular Biology Plan for the Medicine and Biochemistry Society 55

7.9.2Proposal for subject-based INSET 2012-3 56

7.10Junior School Liaison - Young Scientists 57

8University preparation including Oxbridge and Medicine 58

8.1Interview schedule for Term 1 58

9IB Chemistry 59

9.1Course Overview 59

9.2Internally Assessed Practical Component 59

10Resources 59

10.1Electronic Resources – Google Drive and the Shared Drive 59

10.1.1Online Resources 59

11Chemistry Exam (and Mock Exam) Guidance for Invigilators 61

12iGCSE Overiveiw of course 63

13IB Overview 71

13.1Overview of IB topics 71

13.2IB Chemistry Practical Scheme of Work 73