The Physics Department

The Physics department aims to engage and excite all pupils and inspire an appreciation of the physical World around them, a sense of wonder at the complexity of life and it's interactions with the environment. Physics is the study of energy and matter that is scientific in nature. Students begin studying physics in III Upper [year 7] and the subject is taken as a separate science at GCSE in Year 11.

Topics covered in Key Stage 3

Curriculum Intent

The principal focus of science teaching in key stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in Physics. It is also a foundation for future study in KS4 GCSE Physics.

Pupils should undedrstand that science is about working objectively, modifying explanations to take account of new evidence and ideas and subjecting results to peer review. At WIS teachers may choose examples of scientific studies that serve a variety of purposes, from showing how scientific ideas have developed historically to reflecting modern developments in science.

Pupils are encouraged to develop their use of scientific naming conventions, units and mathematical equations.

Practical ativities are offered, which support the future delivery of required Practicals in KS4 Physics.

The Physics curriculum is based on the AQA ACTIVATE package and all pupils are issued with a textbook, which they are expected to read regularly and which contains homework tasks.

Pupils are encouraged to give thought to difficult problems that face the World at present and what contribution Physics can make to easing these problems. Global Warming is discussed at length for instance. The Activate scheme is based on the National Curriculum Guidelines for Physics in KS3.

Year 7

Term 1 - FORCES

Term 2 - ENERGY

Term 3 - WAVES

Year 8

Term 1 - CONTACT FORCES

Term 2 - MAGNETISM

Term 3 - ENERGY and WAVES

KEY STAGE 4 PHYSICS

Curriculum Intent

Science is changing our world and is vital to future prosperity, and all students are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of Physics. Relevant mathematical skills required are covered in the Physics curriculum and there are links to the programme of study for GCSE Mathematics. Through practical work, pupils develop and learn to apply observational, practical skills and mathematical skills, in the laboratory.

The Physics KS4 Curriculum follows the AQA Scheme of Work to prepare pupils for the Single Physics Award. Each pupil is provided with a textbook to encourage reading and revision, from which homework tasks can be derived.

Year 9

Term 1 - ENERGY

Term 2 - ELECTRICITY

Term 3 - PARTICLE MODEL

Year 10

Term 1 - ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Term 2 - FORCES

Term 3 - WAVES

Year 11

Term 1 - SPACE

MAGNETISM

GCSE MOCK EXAMINATION