PHYSICS

Mr J G Bell - Head of Science, Head of Physics
Mrs P V Ferguson
Miss K R Halliwell
Mrs L C Raymond
Mrs L Raymond
Mr R Ward (Physics Laboratory Technician)
Mr D J Thompson
Mr R K Wooldridge - Head of Electronics

Facilities

The Physics Department is on the ground floor and comprises two large laboratories used mainly for Years 8 to 11 and two small laboratories for Years 12 and 13. In addition, there is a Photographic Darkroom, and a Lecture Room.
The Physics Department extension, completed in 2001, greatly enhanced the facilities by providing a new large laboratory in addition to various other preparation and storage rooms.

Teaching

The Physics Department has three full-time and three part-time Physics teachers and one Technician.

Staff from the Biology and Chemistry Departments teach the Physics components of the foundation Science course in Year 7. In Year 8 Physics is taught by subject specialists. KS3 examinations are not taken.

At KS4 the AQA Physics B (specification 3451) is used. Coursework accounts for 20% of the total marks awarded. Every year, several pupils from Year 11 enter the Physics Challenge competition. At the end of Year 9 some pupils opt to take the AQA Science: Double Award B (co-ordinated) (specification 3462) instead of Physics.

In Year 12, the Edexcel modular Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Physics (specification 8540) is examined. During Year 13 the Edexcel Advanced GCE in Physics (specification 9540) is available for those who wish to take the full A level.

Physics Forum sessions are held throughout the year to increase the depth of study as preparation for entrance to Oxford and Cambridge universities, Advanced Extension Papers (AEA), British Physics Olympiad Competitions or simply to resolve problems encountered during A level studies.

During the Sixth Form years, a number of students take part in Headstart, Villiers Park and other university taster courses related to Physics, Engineering and allied subjects. Over the years, Physics and Engineering have been well-represented in Oxbridge and other Higher Education successes.

Practical work is a strong feature of the Department at all levels. Regular bulletins are posted and e-mailed to Sixth Form Physics students. These contain details of reading and work to be done, notices of meetings and courses and other advice.

The Department was particularly pleased with the performance of one student recently who obtained 600/600 in the Physics A.Level examination – an achievement recognised by a presentation from the Institute of Physics.

J G Bell