Physics: A-level
Qualification: A-level
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements: Grade 6 or above in GCSE Maths and Grade 6 or above in GCSE Physics or Grade 6-6 or above in GCSE Combined Science.
watch our video about Physics A-level
Hands-on lessons taught by subject specialists
Our teaching staff are specialists in physics, aiming to inspire all students to enjoy the subject and achieve their best, regardless of ability. High quality marking and feedback support students’ progress.
We have excellent practical resources and technical support, allowing teachers to incorporate practical work into lessons whenever possible–well beyond the ‘required practicals’ of the curriculum.
Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. It seeks to describe and predict the way the Universe operates, at all scales, by identifying and applying the fundamental laws and principles which govern how it operates. Though it deals with the fundamentals of existence its scope is broad from interpreting the night sky, to revealing the structure of a virus from the giant infrastructure projects of modern cities to a trip for an MRI scan at the local hospital. If it isn’t Physics it doesn’t exist!
The course
Core content:
- Measurements and their errors
- Particles and radiation
- Waves
- Mechanics and materials
- Electricity
- Further mechanics and thermal physics
- Fields and their consequences
- Nuclear physics
- Medical physics
Beyond the classroom
Past activities have included:
- Science Week–wide range of speakers, competitions and events
- Royal Society science writing book judging panel
- Sixth Form Journal Club
- STEM Challenge events
- Visit to the 'Big-Bang’ Fair
- ‘Student of the half term’–rewards system to recognise and celebrate achievements and progress of all students
- High quality textbooks loaned to students to help with independent work
Progression
Our students progress onto a very broad range of science-related courses at universities across the country, including those deemed to be ‘prestigious’. We routinely expect successful applications to study courses at Oxbridge and entry onto courses leading to careers such as physics, maths, engineering, natural science, medicine, computing and many other areas.
Some will also go onto non-science related courses and careers–such as law–where their achievements in science A-levels have served to develop key skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Many undergraduate courses are very happy to recruit students who have been successful in their science A-levels as these courses are known to be difficult: students who do well will have excellent study skills and the ability to rise to academic challenge beyond school.