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The science department aims to develop pupils that exceed their potential by delivering an inclusive, engaging and challenging curriculum. We strive to foster a spirit of enquiry, nurture our pupils’ curiosity and bring relevant real-world science into the classroom with the purpose of creating practically minded problem solvers that go on to make the world a better place.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE
The Key Stage 5 Physics explores the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of, from the smallest pieces of matter to the furthest reaches of the observable Universe. It explains the underlying concepts behind every day phenomena and is pushing the advancement of human knowledge. Many apparently complicated things in nature can be understood in terms of relatively simple mathematical relationships. Physicist try to uncover these relationships through observing, creating mathematical models, and testing them by doing experiments. In short it tries to answer the biggest question of all ‘What are the inner workings of the Universe?’
At Key stage 5, all students will follow a balanced and broad curriculum. As well as developing our students’ knowledge and understanding of scientific theory, our curriculum has integrated working scientifically with a clear focus on literacy and communication that seeks to develop students’ confidence in articulating their ideas.
Schemes of work and resources have been developed by specialist teachers within the department and are tailored to meet the needs of all students to ensure each child makes expected levels of progress. Schemes of work will help you solve problems. Not just the Physics problems, but any problem which can be logically thought out. Physics is all about taking something which is very complicated, and breaking it down into much smaller, simpler components. Physicist becomes very adept at taking a problem and explaining it in terms of mathematics or basic ‘first principles’, and then using mathematics to find the most logical and optimal solutions.
PROGRAMME OF STUDY
ASSESSMENT
A-level Physics is assessed purely on exams taken at the end of Year 13. At the end of A level, there are three, 2-hour exams. Although there is no coursework, there are assessed practicals which will give students the confidence and skills needed to investigate how things work. At least 15% of the exams will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work.
Students are assessed regularly at KS5 Physics through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Students receive timely written and verbal feedback after each assessment which allow students to reflect and act upon the feedback and complete an improvement and/or challenge tasks to improve and make further progress in their knowledge, skills and understanding.
We will use a range of assessments:
Formal assessments at end of each unit
PR Assessment during each term
Non-written feedback that can take the form of verbal, peer and self-assessment.
The PR Assessments will contribute to the data published on Progress Reports
All Formal assessments will be kept at School in assessment folders to build archaeology.
HOW PARENTS / CARERS CAN HELP
Establish a daily routine of mealtimes with time for homework, chores, and bedtime.
Monitoring of subject folders/notes in terms of the content, presentation, and organisational skills.
Oversee at least 1 hour of the homework sitting by their side.
Regular conversations about science in the news and the world around them.
Maintaining a positive (grow mindset) attitude.
Reinforce learning at home and show your child the skills they are learning are applicable to everyday life.
Model the habits of a lifelong learner by which the students feel more motivated to learn, and their grades improve.
Checking in on pupils to see that they are self-motivated and revising topics they have covered earlier in the course as well as working on current topics.
Encouraging exam practice using past paper questions (A level Chemistry Google classroom, AQA website, PMT).
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
CERN Trip- Available to all scientist
QMUL- Available to all scientist
ISSAC Physics Challenge
Physics Olympiad
Virtual talks by University and CERN
Masterclasses and Webinars hosted by universities
EPQ support
RECOMMENDED READING / OTHER RESOURCES
Issac Physics
Physics and Maths Tutor
Science Shorts on Youtube
CGP A-Level Physics for AQA
Collins AQA A- level Physics
Oxford AQA A- Level Physics
Institute of Physics Community
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