Curriculum

Year 1

Physics topics are taught in English as part of the integrated science curriculum in year 1.  The physics topics taught are measurement techniques, density, energy and atmospheric pressure. These assimilate well with the biology and chemistry topics to enable the students to gain a good foundation in the scientific method.
 

Year 2

Physics topics are taught in English as part of the integrated science curriculum in year 2.  The physics topics taught are heat and electricity. These assimilate well with the biology and chemistry topics to enable the students to gain skills in scientific inquiry. 

Year 3 

Physics topics are taught in English as part of the integrated science curriculum in year 3.  The physics topics taught are light and forces. These assimilate well with the biology and chemistry topics to enable the students to master skills in scientific inquiry.
 

IGCSE

 The IGCSE is taught as a two-year course in years 4 and 5. The course is adapted to a concept led approach. In examinations, students will be required to apply physics knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar situations. There are a limited amount of marks awarded for recalling information by memory. This aids good training for the A-Level and for developing critical thinking. Critical thinking is a transferrable skill not only for all subjects but also in everyday life.
 
Year 4 marks the beginning of the delivery of material for Edexcel IGCSE Physics. The course is externally examined at the end of Year 5, and there is no coursework component.

 Concepts of Physics covered in year 4 are Motion, Forces, Astronomy, Energy, Heat, Optics and Waves. At the end of each topic, students will sit a written assessment in their class sets. The cultural and social significance of Physics is embedded within the coverage of the syllabus. Experimental methods and techniques are further developed as the quantitative nature of the subject is given greater emphasis within the context of both problems solving and practical work. Graphical and numerical skills are a particular focus.
 
In year 5, the IGCSE course is completed. States of Matter, Gas Laws, Radioactivity, Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetism are studied this year. The mock exam is in January and it is prepared and assessed in the same way as the actual IGCSE examination giving a clear indication of what students would potentially achieve.
 
The higher level of demand as the IGCSE course draws to a close coincides with the new linear A-Level and many students decide to continue to study physics at the sixth form level. 

A-Level

 Sixth form Physicists follow Edexcel Pearson GCE Physics A-level. The specification provides a smooth transition from the IGCSE and develops interest and enthusiasm for the subject at a more sophisticated conceptual level.
 
Students will have an end of year exam at the end of year 6. It is examined internally which include practical physics sections included in the exam. This is the first year of the linear A-Level course and it focuses on developing knowledge and understanding of Forces and Motion including vehicle safety, sports and stretching materials; Electrons and Photons including the spectrum and quantum theory; Wave Properties and Experimental skills.
 
The experiments involved in practical work are of utmost importance and are carried out in our fully equipped labs. Experiments are timetabled into the course and help to support students understanding of their theory lessons. Amongst the experiments carried out, there are eight core experiments which are compulsory to be completed and students are required to keep a record of them for possible external assessment. Teachers also keep a record of the assessment criteria achieved in each experiment by each pupil.
 
At A-Level students will complete the linear A-Level course and see how the ideas work together and begin to grasp the universal principles that apply to everything from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies. This year, students will extend their knowledge so as to appreciate the ways in which different areas of Physics are applied. This includes Further Mechanics, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics/Space, Radioactivity, Gravitational Fields and Oscillations. The qualification is examined externally in three papers which include questions on all of the topics learned in year 6 and 7 and of course practical based questions.
 
There are other eight-core experiments which must be completed this year as well as the timetabled practical lessons. All sixteen core experiments will determine a passing grade for the A-Level qualification. It is a requirement of the best universities to have a ‘pass’ grade in the Core Practical Assessment.