Physics

Curriculum Intent

As a Physics department our overall aim is to develop, maintain and stimulate our students’ curiosity, interest and enjoyment in our subject. We also feel we have a role in emphasising to our students the importance of Physics in everyday day life and helping them to become responsible local and global citizens, by immersing them in the teaching and learning of real everyday situations affecting the world today, such as the energy use debate and how radiation is used to benefit our lives.

Physics is such a fascinating subject which covers so many different aspects within society and beyond and allows students to develop so many essential skills, many of which are transferable not just across subjects studied in school, but also at a wider level in society and throughout their lives. There is a strong focus on students developing their investigation skills, problem solving skills, critical thinking and decision making, social skills, the application of knowledge and concluding concepts with reasoned arguments. We make it abundantly clear to students the benefit of having a good understanding of Physics and the links to their future lives including possible employment opportunities.

We see a real importance and value in Key Stage 3 Physics, we believe it is at this stage where we begin to capture the student’s enthusiasm and understanding and love for the subject and this then becomes our basis for future progress within the subject. Students in Years 7 and 8 study a varied and engaging range of topics to help them develop their Physics understanding including the key themes of forces, energy, electromagnets and waves. Practical work is central to what we do and students enjoyment and understanding of the subject is definitely enhanced by this approach. The course (one period of 60 minutes per week) is designed to allow students to succeed whatever their starting point and experience of Physics from primary school. In Year 9 many of the fundamental concepts are revisited in order to build and confirm all student’s confidence in their learning, and to help prepare them for the demands of Key Stage 4 Physics.

At Key Stage 4 students are taught four periods of Physics over a two-week timetable., we follow the AQA Trilogy Combined science specification, with the opportunity for students to opt for AQA Triple Science. Students build on the knowledge gained in Key Stage 3 and start to broaden their knowledge and understanding of key scientific ideas and techniques to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts showing confidence in these skills. They will be able to interpret data, make reasoned scientific judgements, draw evidence-based conclusions and develop, improve and evaluate experimental procedures.

The Physics curriculum is implemented through a wide range of teaching approaches and tasks such as independent and group work, demonstrations, discussions, practical work, links to real life situations, worked examples, problem solving and questioning techniques.

There are opportunities after school for revision, and we encourage students to ‘drop in’ and discuss any gaps in their knowledge that they have identified from lessons, to further develop their understanding or to ask any questions around any Physics concepts they may have heard about. At Key Stage 4 students are encouraged to attend specific revision sessions aimed at filling any gaps in their knowledge.

Physics is a subject with many aspects to it and therefore we feel it is an essential subject for students to gain an understanding of. We aim to enthuse students with a love of STEM subjects and also give an awareness of the exciting opportunities a secure Physics understanding can offer students, both in future careers, and life in general. We are also very familiar with the local post 16 opportunities and actively encourage students to consider studying Physics when they leave Sunbury Manor.

Teaching students as separate sciences really helps students to develop a distinct understanding of how each science plays a significant part in their everyday lives and this has allowed us to form a group of dedicated Physics teachers who all buy into the ethos of the department and our commitment to helping all students achieve our goals and their potentials. Along with this we have many well equipped, modern teaching labs with fully stocked prep rooms full of practical equipment to help aid our students learning, enjoyment and ultimately success in Physics.

Curriculum Overview

 

Key Stage 4 Specification