Departmental contact
Mr Benjamin – [email protected]
Examining board & Qualification
OCR (Specification A) – A LEVEL
Entry requirements
Please see current prospectus for further information
Students say
“I enjoy Physics as it actually shows you how the world works and why certain things do what they do. The lessons are entertaining and challenging and the support from the teachers is excellent.”
WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?
Unlike the other sciences, physics has no limits – EVERYTHING in the universe can be related to physics and we would be lost without it.
Mobile phones, computers, the internet – all just some of the things invented by physicists and they are constantly finding new things. Just imagine what will be invented this time next year, let alone once you have finished your A level qualification!
Physics is more than just a subject. It also deals with the big questions – will we ever be able to travel back in time? Why do we always find the smallest bits of cereal at the bottom of the packet?
Physics is particularly suitable for people who:
- enjoy finding out about and understanding how the world works
- like analysing and solving problems
- enjoy a practical approach to learning
- want to develop being logical and numerate
- want to develop their communication skills
- want to work in a team
WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?
There is a large jump between GCSE Physics or Science and A Level. You will build on the topics you’ve learnt, but to a much higher level of understanding.
Physics is a subject that teaches and refines many transferable skills, leaving you with lots of options at the end of the course. You will be more creative, gain experience working in a team, be able to gather relevant information and analyse it effectively.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
YEAR 12
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
Module 2 – Foundations of physics
(Physical quantities and units, analysing data, nature of quantities)
Module 3 – Forces and motion
(Motion, forces, work, energy, power, materials, Newton’s law of motion, momentum)
Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons
(Current, charge, energy, power, resistance, electrical circuits, waves, quantum physics)
YEAR 13
Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics
(Thermal physics, circular motion, oscillations, gravitational fields, astrophysics, cosmology)
Module 6 – Particles and medical physics
(Capacitors, electric fields, electromagnetism, nuclear & particles physics, medical imaging)
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
The final grade is entirely assessed by exam. Alongside this, you will be awarded a pass/fail in Practical Skills, which are assessed throughout the course by your teacher.
Exam 1 Modelling physics – Assesses modules 1, 2, 3 & 5 (100 marks, 2hr 15, 37%)
Exam 2 Exploring physics – Assesses modules 1, 2, 4 & 6 (100 marks, 2hr 15, 37%)
Exam 3 Unified physics – Assesses modules 1-6 (70 marks, 1hr 30, 26%)
WHAT ARE MY POST-18 OPTIONS?
Physics A Level is particularly suitable preparation for Higher Education courses in Pure Sciences, Applied and Vocational Sciences, Astronomy, Meteorology, Computer Science, Television, Engineering, Electronics, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Architecture and Mathematics.
The analytical nature of the course also prepares students for a wide variety of non-scientific courses such as Law, Accountancy and Finance. What do they have in common? They all start with a Physics A Level.
WHAT EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?
The Physics Department has close links with the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham and is developing its links with local Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) companies.
We have offered a variety of opportunities in the past including the Engineering Education Scheme (where students work with an engineering firm to solve a real-life problem) as well as a trip to CERN in Geneva.
Recommended revision materials to buy
Below are links to recommended revision materials available to buy from Amazon. If you buy them via these links, the school will receive a percentage of the sale price from Amazon but you will pay the same price.
