Physics
Emphasising the relevance of physics to pupills everyday lives, and the importance of it to modern technological is a cornerstone of the science department.
Years 7 and 8
In the first two years physics is taught using the Framework Science course, published by Oxford University Press. This is a well respected course covering all three sciences at Key Stage 3. Framework lessons are lively and imaginative and involve pupils in a range of activities to develop their scientific knowledge and understanding of How Science Works.
The course includes many practical activities and pupils will develop a full range of practical skills including the use of data capture using sensors connected to a computer. Each topic is made up of about eight lessons followed by a test to monitor progress. Lessons have clear objectives and weekly homework is set to test pupils understanding.
Year 7
Resources
Electrical circuits
Forces and their effects
The solar system and beyond
Year 8
Magnets and electromagnets
Light
Sound and hearing
Years 9, 10 and 11 - GCSE
We follow the AQA Science specifications. The courses on offer are: Core Science (1 GCSE), Additional Science (1 GCSE) or biology and chemistry and physics (three GCSEs). The early start to GCSE sciences enables the department to offer the opportunity for all pupils to gain a minimum of two GCSE science qualifications over three years of study.
All pupils will then study GCSE Additional Science which will gain them a further GCSE Science qualification by the end of year 11.
Those pupils who have a keen interest in science and who have shown talent in the subject will be encouraged to study GCSE Extension Science also. This, together with the Core and Additional Science modules leads to GCSE qualifications in the separate disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
The department enters candidates for the OCR examinations at AS and A Level.
This up to date course gives a thorough grounding in physics suitable for students who wish to study the subject or related courses at university entry level.
There is a practical element to the course which is externally set and is in two parts. The first section is to be answered within two weeks, and students are able to prepare this at home. The second part consists of a short experiment conducted under exam conditions in the physics laboratory.
