In many ways, Physics is the fundamental Science subject. It deals with the obscure; matters from the smallest scale of sub-atomic particles to the largest scale with thought provoking questions about the Universe. It also deals with the everyday; Physics certainly is one of the most relevant subjects in the running of our daily lives.

If you are the sort of person who has always asked “How?”, “Why?”, and always want to know how and why things work, then Physics may just be the subject for you.

It is extremely highly thought of by employers in a huge range of careers as a result of the problem solving skills that become highly developed during the course. It is also important to many that Physicists are statistically the highest paid Scientists!

Students studying A-Level Physics can go onto a huge variety of degrees and careers including: Physics, Scientific Research, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic/Electronic Engineering, Medicine, Aeronautical Engineering, Architecture, Computing.

Course Content and Methodology

At LMS we study the OCR course leading to A2 qualifications. The course bridges the gap between GCSE and A-Level standard of thinking and problem solving. Students in Year 12 study two module areas. These extend upon some topics studied at GCSE such as forces and electricity; and introduce new areas such as the physics of materials and quantum physics.

Year 13 builds on the Year 12 topic areas, develops a more extensive understanding of field theories and diagnostic techniques in medicine but also introduces the fields at the forefront of Physics research in Cosmology, Particles, and Nuclear Physics. Students will be taught by two Physics teachers, who share the teaching of the course.

Practical skills are practiced through the course and are formally assessed by the teachers using tasks outlined in the specification.

Assessment

Exam Board: OCR GCE A-Level Physics A H556

Assessment is by means three units taken at the end of Year 13 with a practical endorsement reported separately to the student’s grade.

Component 1:

Modeling Physics - 2h 15 mins written paper (100 marks – 37%)

Component 2:

Exploring Physics - 2h 15 mins written paper (100 marks – 37%)

Component 3:

Unified Physics - 1h 30 mins written paper (70 marks – 26%)

Component 4:

Practical Endorsement Non examined and reported separately

Course Requirements

Students must have studied dual award or separate sciences at GCSE Higher Tier and whilst students can complete the course with grade 6, students are more likely to have successful A-Level outcomes if they have achieved grade 7 or above. Supporting grades in mathematics are also a requirement.

Facilities