We aim to:

• Present pupils with a challenging yet enjoyable experience.
• Stimulate and encourage questions about the physical world.
• Develop observational and analytical skills, with a firm emphasis on practical work.

Why study Physics?

Physics investigates the most fundamental issues, from the creation and development of the Universe, to the smallest particles making up the atom. The products of Physics affect our everyday lives. We consider how satellite communications and computers have revolutionised how we organise our lives and the ways in which advances in Medical Physics continue to improve diagnosis and treatment.

How will I learn Physics?

Physics is taught as an individual science by one of our seven specialist physicists. All lessons take place in one of our five modern, well-equipped Physics laboratories, each with its own computing facilities and digital projector. The department prides itself on its resources and range of modern equipment. We are supported by three Physics technicians. The new Physics block which opened in September 2005 has been designed to satisfy our demands for state-of-the-art resources. There is a mixture of traditional ideas and modern concepts. We recognise that pupils need a sound foundation in the subject but want to stress modern applications.

What is Physics homework like?

During the first three years, homework will be set once each week to be completed that evening and handed in for marking the following morning. It will usually relate directly to the work in class and will give an opportunity to practise and help advance understanding. Pupils could also be asked to research a topic and, perhaps, present their findings on a poster for a display. In the First Year a Physics lesson is spent in the library and some time is spent using our computing facilities to help pupils appreciate the range of information available.

What is Physics in the Lower School like?

In the Lower School pupils will develop an understanding of the key areas such as energy, electricity, magnetism, astronomy and waves. Each year builds on the previous year’s work. There is an emphasis on practical work and the subject’s relevance to everyday situations. There is also the opportunity to design investigations. In the third year we teach the use of microelectronic systems to solve practical problems.

What happens further up the school?

At GCSE we have started the International (I)GCSE. We feel this is better suited to the needs of our pupils and provides a sound basis for further study. It allows us to teach physics with a modern approach as well as do more practical work.

At A Level we follow the modern Advancing Physics course developed by the Institute of Physics. All of the resources come on a CD which is available on the school network and pupils can also have a copy to take home. The course allows the study of the most up-to-date scientific developments and technology. We have laboratories fully equipped for this course and its significant IT dependence. Pupils have some opportunity to tailor the course to their own interests and coursework counts for 20% in each year.

What else can I expect?

Much more! We run a “Be a Physics Presenter” competition for First Years, where students are videoed making a presentation with the top three winning a prize and, of course, a copy of the video. The standard each year has been very high. We also enter a team for the Physics Olympics at Liverpool University each year. It is a fun event and we have won the gold medal four times in seven years. Other activities include a two-day Materials Science course, and an overnight visit to the Science Open Days at Oxford.

Each year we enter several pupils for the National Physics Olympiad. We have had a number of pupils in the top fifteen in the country (they attend a presentation at the Royal Society) and former pupil Stephen Miller came in the top five and represented the country in the International Olympiad in Reykjavik. Our pupils have also won awards for the top A Level Physics performance on a number of occasions.

We also have had an optical telescope kindly donated to the department and have recently purchased a radio telescope. We have a set of laptops and a colour laser printer so that all years will have ICT fully integrated into their course.