Curriculum Leader: Ms L. Wallace
Our vision
Our vision is to encourage our pupils to be engaged, proactive and independent learners who enjoy attending lessons and learning physics. We strive to create a caring learning environment that is stimulating and thought provoking, ensuring every pupil is valued and supported to achieve their very best.
Key Stage 3
Throughout Years 8-10 we aim to build, in every pupil, a foundation of knowledge and understanding in the fundamental areas of Physics as well as developing the many skills required to ensure success when studying Physics.
The topics studied include:
Electricity, Space Physics, Forces, Energy, Magnetism, Motion and Waves.
GCSE
The CCEA GCSE Physics Specification is followed.
Pupils are provided with a textbook to support them throughout the course.
Year 11
Unit 1: Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Year 12
Unit 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics
Unit 3: Practical Skills.
A Level
The A level course builds on knowledge, understanding and skills developed from GCSE Physics. Students develop competence in a range of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills. They develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of scientific skills, and knowledge and understanding of how science works.
The CCEA Physics A-level specification is available for download at: https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/Specifications/GCE/GCE%20Physics%20%282016%29/GCE%20Physics%20%282016%29-specification-Standard.pdf
Year 13
AS1: Forces, Energy and Electricity
AS2: Waves, Photons and Astronomy
AS3: Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
Year 14
A21 Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations, Atomic and Nuclear Physics
A22 Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics
A23 Practical Techniques and Data Analysis
Career Pathways
Being a physicist is not just a career but a way of thinking, that is sought after in many career sectors.
In particular, studying Physics is great preparation for careers such as engineering, architecture, law, science, medicine. It is especially helpful for jobs that involve developing new technologies, including: engineering astronomy, robotics, renewable energies, computer science, communications, space exploration, science writing, computer game technology, research, predicting climate change and nanotechnology.
