Physics

The new GCSE syllabus builds on topics that will be familiar to KS3 students, such as energy, forces, and electric circuits, as well as introducing more complex new ideas including optics, electromagnetism and radioactivity. It also begins to address the most fundamental question of how the universe began and the evidence we have for our understanding of cosmology.

Built into the GCSE course is a significant measure of practical work involving investigation and analysis. This supports students to develop their critical thinking skills, of particular importance in an increasingly complex world. This is an incredibly rewarding course for those who take it.

The Physics A-Level course allows those of a certain mind to immerse themselves in the workings of the world around them. The breadth of study takes us from an introduction to the quantum world through to classical mechanics, thermodynamics and field theory, astrophysics and cosmology. Along the way, students are introduced to ideas such as capacitance, simple harmonic motion, and electromagnetic induction.

There is a strong emphasis on practical work with students receiving certification of their ability to conduct and analyse investigations alongside their final grade. This is based on teacher’s evaluation of the progression of students’ practical ability and is called Practical Endorsement on their A-level certificate. The content that we cover is excellent preparation for natural science, engineering and mathematical degrees at higher education level. However, the problem solving and logic skills that physics instils in students is seen by many universities as an integral foundation for less obvious choices such as medicine, architecture and even philosophy!

Here at LOGS, Physics is always taken with at least AS Maths because the two subjects are so closely linked.

We follow the AQA A specification and assessment is through three papers taken at the end of the two years of study.