Physics
Physics allows you to explain why things happen. Why does a plane fly, why does an ice skater spin faster when she pulls her arms in. Why can’t you make a swing catch another swing up? Why was Polonium 110 used as a poison, but not Polonium 209 or 211?
In the department we stimulate curiosity and provide a positive (no pun intended) atmosphere for the girls to hypothesise, take risks and succeed.
Structure of the GCSE Physics course.
Girls do the AQA Physics GCSE. The course is split into 4 parts; P1, P2, P3 and an ISA (Individual Skills Assessment) Each part is worth 25% of the GCSE.
- P1 is a written exam lasting 45 minutes June year 10
- P2 is a written exam lasting 45 minutes. January Year 11
- P3 is a written exam lasting 45 minutes. June Year 11
- ISA: You will do 2 ISA’s, the best mark is used. The ISA consists of an experiment that you carry out followed by a 45 minute exam held in the classroom. They generally require 3-4 lessons to complete.
There are currently 5 irrepressibly enthusiastic teachers of Physics from a wide variety of backgrounds:
Mr. Trotter: Head of Department
Mr. North
Mr. Nawaz
Mrs. Haynes
Mrs. Emmrich – also teaches Maths
Mrs. Morris; Physics technician
There are support sessions for year 10 and 11 pupil during the run up to exams but all pupils are encouraged to ask for help at any time.
A level
The girls do the OCR “Physics A” course, it is a modular course with an exam in January and June of the lower and upper sixth.
There is also a practical skills unit carried out within lesson time.
There are many opportunities to think about physics in the girls’ spare time. An astronomy club has been using telescopes in Hawaii and Australia; some sixth formers are attending a week long Headstart course that gives an insight into studying Engineering at university.
The sixth form group has also enjoyed trips to the Leicester Space Centre and Birmingham University to witness the first switch on of the Large Hadron Collider.
The sixth form also attends evening lectures at Birmingham University about topical advances in Physics.
