Contact us…
King Edward VI Handsworth School,
Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR
T: 0121 554 2342
F: 0121 554 3879
E: office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk
Follow us on Social Media
Website Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy
In this section
In this section
Physics
Physics allows you to explain why things happen. Why does a plane fly, why does an ice skater spin faster when she pulls her arms in. Why can’t you make a swing catch another swing up? Why was Polonium 110 used as a poison, but not Polonium 209 or 211?
Physics is studied by all pupils from Years 7 to 11.
Aims
In the department we aim to stimulate curiosity and provide a positive atmosphere for the girls to hypothesise, take risks and succeed.
- To use experimentation and modelling to develop explanations.
- To encourage critical and creative thinking.
- To develop the pupils’ scientific literacy, allowing them to take decisions based on scientific understanding and questioning the reliability and validity of evidence presented to them.
- To encourage pupils to apply their scientific understanding throughout the school especially in other STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects.
Curriculum and Assessment Maps
Year 7
Year 7
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Forces Waves Electricity Energy Matter |
Forces What forces do p1 What forces do p2 Describing forces Balanced and unbalanced forces Resultant forces Mass and weight |
Space The night sky, stars and galaxies Planets and the Solar System The Earth The Moon Gravity Energy Energy stores Energy transfers |
Electricity Current Voltage Resistance Series and parallel circuits Static electricity Matter Temperature Heating and cooling Thermal conduction Thermal store of energy |
|
Assessment Pieces Multiple choice test on forces. |
Assessment Pieces Multiple choice test on space. |
Assessment Pieces Multiple choice test on electricity. |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
Balanced, unbalanced and resultant forces. Mass and weight |
Planets Planets, galaxies, universe, stars Current, voltage, resistance. |
Series and parallel. Conduction |
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science. |
||
|
Suggested reading |
|||
Year 8
Year 8
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Forces Waves Electricity Energy Matter |
Forces Speed and distance Motion graphs Work done Hooke’s law Moments Simple machines Waves Properties of sound waves Ultrasound Light and matter |
Reflection Lenses and the eye Colours Water waves Electricity Circuit models Electric and magnetic fields Electromagnetism Electricity generation Paying for electricity |
Matter Pressure Pressure in fluids Temperature and pressure |
|
Assessment Pieces End of unit test on Forces |
Assessment Pieces End of unit test on Waves |
Assessment Pieces End of unit test on Electricity |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
Frequency Amplitude Wavelength |
Current, voltage, resistance. Energy resources Kilo-watt hours |
|
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science. |
||
|
Suggested reading |
|||
Year 9
Year 9
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Energy stores and changes Power, Work done and efficiency Heat transfer Energy resources Atomic structure Nuclear radiation and decay |
Energy
|
Particles
|
|
|
Assessment Pieces Test on energy changes |
Assessment Pieces Teat on energy resources |
Assessment Pieces End of year exam on energy and particles |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
|||
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science. |
||
|
Suggested reading |
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook |
||
Year 10
Year 10
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
Electricity
|
Waves
|
|
|
|
Assessment Pieces Test on Particles |
Assessment Pieces Test on Electricity |
Assessment Pieces Test on Waves End of Year 10 Examination |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
|||
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science. |
||
|
Suggested reading |
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook |
||
Year 11
Year 11
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Forces
|
Electromagnetism
Space
|
||
|
Assessment Pieces Mock examinations |
Assessment Pieces Test on Forces Test on electromagnetism |
Assessment Pieces |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
|||
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
Watch science documentaries and interesting YouTube clips on Science. |
||
|
Suggested reading |
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 AQA textbook |
||
Year 12
Year 12
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Mechanics Vectors Motion graphs Equations of motion Projectile motion Newton’s Laws Waves Polarisation Superposition Stationary waves Young’s slits and diffraction Refraction Total Internal reflection |
Mechanics (cont.) and Materials Momentum Impulse Energy and Power Work done Moments Materials Density Springs Deformation of materials Particle Physics Photoelectric effect Line spectra Particles and accelerators Radioactive decay |
Electricity Potential Resistance Bulbs Components Resistivity Potential dividers Kirchhoff’s laws Particles (cont.) Further mechanics Circular motion Centripetal force |
|
|
Assessment Pieces Test on mechanics Test on waves |
Assessment Pieces Test on mechanics Test on waves |
Assessment Pieces End of year 12 exam. |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
|||
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
|||
|
Suggested reading |
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408 AQA textbook |
||
Year 13
Year 13
|
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year |
Scheme of Learning Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning Summer Term |
|
Thermal Physics and Ideal Gases Internal energy Gas equations Kinetic theory Fields Gravitational fields Electric fields Magnetic fields Further mechanics Simple harmonic motion Mass-spring systems Resonance and damping Nuclear Physics Rutherford expt. Radius and density Radiation |
Fields(cont.) Capacitors Induction Nuclear Physics (cont.) Inverse gamma law Half-life and decay constants Density and instability Power stations Turning points in Physics Michelson Morley Special relativity Mass and energy EM waves Wave-particle duality Discovery of the electron |
||
|
Assessment Pieces Test on Thermal Physics Test on Further Mechanics |
Assessment Pieces Test on Thermal Physics Test on Nuclear |
Assessment Pieces |
|
|
Key vocabulary |
|||
|
Outside the taught curriculum |
|||
|
Suggested reading |
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408 AQA textbook |
||
Further information
Staff
The Department boasts a wide range of experience. Current staff are:-
-
Mr M Nawaz (Subject Leader for Physics)
-
Mr A North (Teacher of Physics)
-
Miss A Kottapalli (Teacher of Physics)
-
Mr C Trotter (Assistant Headteacher)
-
Mr A Lock (Physics Technician)
Additional Information
What your daughter may do in lessons:
At GCSE and A-Level, practical activities are used where ever possible show Physics in action. Pupils are expected to work together to solve problems and make sense of the observations they make. There is a greater emphasis on the use of Maths to model and determine physical relationships.
Year 7
The pupils will receive one lesson of Physics each week. During the year they will study two topics. They are (i) Forces and Space and (ii) Electricity and Magnetism.
End of unit tests provide an opportunity for teachers to give feedback and for pupils to reflect on their learning.
Year 8
The pupils will receive one lesson of Physics each week. During the year they will study two topics. They are (i) Light and Sound and (ii) Energy. They will also do a short project at the end of Year 8.
End of unit tests provide an opportunity for teachers to give feedback and for pupils to reflect on their learning.
Years 9, 10 and 11
All girls take Physics at GCSE following the AQA 8463 specification starting in Year 9. They are is assessed via two written papers both taken at the end of Year 11. Each paper is of 1 hour 45 minutes duration.
Practical skills are taught throughout the course and the pupils undertake ten required practical investigations. These are assessed in the written papers at the end of Year 11.
In Year 9 pupils have 4 lessons of Physics per fortnight and in Years 10 and 11 this increases to 5 lessons per fortnight.
End of topic tests and homelearning tasks provide teachers with an opportunity to provide feedback to the pupils and for pupils to reflect on their learning.
Post 16 (A Level)
We follow the AQA A Level Physics specification 7408 which consists of 3 written papers at the end of Year 13. Students complete 12 required practical investigations, for which they have to meet 5 competencies and the skills gained are assessed in their written papers.
Each group in Year 12 and 13 is taught by two teachers. Throughout the course the girls are assessed by both of their teachers. Tests are regularly set, marked and feedback provided. Practical skills are observed and outcomes monitored.
How can parents help?
Physics opportunities parents can provide:
- Thinktank, Birmingham’s science museum has many exhibits related to Physics and its applications.
- Science is a popular television topic, Horizon and programmes with Brian Cox or Jim Al-Khalili are frequently repeated on BBC3 and 4. Myth busters, Bang goes the theory, and Brainiac all approach entertainment from a scientific perspective. Documentaries with “Engineering” in the title would also be useful.
- Encouraging your daughter to help with DIY and using tools gives an awareness of forces, levers and machines.
- Encouraging your daughter to take advantage of the opportunities available at school.
Where next
An A-level in Physics can lead to a variety of courses at university such as Geophysics, Architecture, Computer Science, Finance and Economics, Materials Science etc. as well as the more traditional routes into Physics, Astronomy and Engineering.
One possibly appealing aspect of studying Physics at university is the diversity of physics careers, which are not set in any one direction. Physics graduates have skills that are in high demand in diverse sectors. These include skills relating to numeracy, problem-solving, data analysis and the communication of complex ideas, as well as a wider understanding of how the world works, on a scientific and human level.
This highly transferable and valued skillset also means physics graduates earn more. According to the Institute of Physics (IOP) those with a BSc in Physics earn 14% more than other graduates, and this increases to 18% more for those with a Master of Physics (MPhys).
Physics graduates are in demand in many industries such as research, education, finance, automotive and aerospace industries, defence, the public sector, healthcare, energy, materials, technology, computing and IT, meteorology.
Opportunities out of lessons
Physics opportunities outside of lessons:
- Science club for years 7 and 8.
- STEM club for Key Stage 4 and 5
- Regular external competitions advertised on the notice boards
- Activity day trip to GCSE Live (y10)
- STEM activity day events (y9)
- Birmingham University evening lecture series
- EDT Headstart courses for y12
- Nuffield Bursary placements in y12
- Library:
- Periodicals: Physics review, New Scientist magazine, FLIPSIDE,
- Books: Bad Science, Alice in Quantum Land, and many others
Useful links
For specifications:
- AQA Physics GCSE
- http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
- AQA Physics A-level
- http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408
- For general information about Physics and careers:
- Institute of Physics
- http://www.iop.org/
For revision:
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpm6fg8
- http://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/
- http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/physics
- http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/physics
- https://studywise.co.uk/a-level-revision/physics/
- Interesting Physics websites:
- http://www.physics.org/
- http://www.einstein-online.info/elementary
- http://www.astronomy.com/
- http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/
- http://home.cern/