Physics

Physics is an attempt to explain the world around us by using experimental evidence to test our theories. Fundamentally, Physics is the science of measurement. Through a practical approach students learn to make measurements and to evaluate this as information in the form of numbers. Students learn the importance of presenting information in a variety of formats and of assessing the information they gather for reliability and accuracy. Physics concerns itself with matter, energy and forces. Students gain an understanding of the science that powers and supports modern life. They learn about the developments in Physics from the time of Newton to Einstein and as Physicists continue to discover and innovate, these developments frequently appear as new areas of interest on new course specifications.

In Year 8 students follow a Physics course as part of the Key Stage 3 Science course. Circuits, static charge, magnetism and electromagnetism are covered in this year. Years 9 and 10 see the completion of this course with topics such as sound, light, energy, forces and the earth in space.

All students take Physics in Years 11 and 12 as part of Single Award Science or Double Award Science. The GCSE course followed, at present, is administered by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examination and Assessment (CCEA). These courses see the deepening and strengthening of the understanding gained at Key Stage 3.

In Year 13 students can opt to take the Advanced Subsidiary Level in Physics. This course followed, at present, is administered by CCEA. Students wishing to take an Advanced level in Physics continue their studies into Year 14.