Physics

Physics continues to be a forefront of scientific discoveries in the modern era. It is a field of study that pushes what we understand about the world around us and serves as a unifier for a broad range of different subjects. Whether it be observing ‘Cosmic Monsters’ at the edge of our Universe using the James Webb telescope or pushing the limits of Radiotherapy through the developments in Medical Engineering, Physics remains a constant in our desire to understand more.

At Cranleigh all our Lower School students study Physics. Year 9 are introduced to the subject with the aim of getting them excited about Physics whilst giving them the skills that they will need later on. At GCSE students can either study Physics as a separate science or as part of a combined science qualification (Double Award Science). Physics is a popular choice in the Sixth Form with around 30 students in each of the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth years. Students follow the Edexcel International GCSE specification in the Lower School and then the Edexcel specification at A-Level.

The Department itself is located in modern and well-resourced labs within a purpose built building (the Emms Center). The teachers within the Department have a range of experience and are all enthusiastic and dedicated to transferring their passion for the subject to the students through their teaching.

Lower School

The Year 9 curriculum gives pupils an introduction to elements of the GCSE course as well ensuring they develop their practical and mathematical skills, which will stand them in good stead in subsequent years. The main topics covered include Waves, Forces and Energy as well as looking at the impact of Scientists through history. At the end of Year 9 (4th Form), students choose their IGCSE course. There are three available courses:

Triple Award Science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied and examined separately leading to three separate IGCSE qualifications.
Double Award Science in 6 (DAS in 6) – Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied and examined separately, but the marks are combined to give two IGCSE grades. This course gives a good grounding in each of the three sciences but covers some material in less detail.
Double Award Science in 9 (DAS in 9) – like DAS in 6, except that pupils who find the Sciences difficult have more lesson time with their teachers.

All are linear courses that are examined in the Summer of Year 11.

In Year 10 and Year 11, pupils focus entirely on studying the Edexcel International GCSE specification which involves a more in depth look at practical work as well as the introduction of new theory. The topics covered include Forces and Motion, Electricity, Waves, Energy, Magnetism & Electromagnetism, Radioactivity and Solids, Liquids & Gases. The majority of students often opt to work towards the stand-alone GCSE qualification for each of the sciences but some will study the combined science qualification, the Double Award Science (DAS), which equates to two full GCSEs.

Sixth Form

A-Level Physics provides the basis for an innovative Sixth Form course that has been designed to both engage and inspire students. The exam specification has been developed with input from teachers and universities so that it enthuses and motivates students and suits a variety of interests. In addition, there is a strong focus on practical work and developing experimental skills throughout the two years. The practical element is assessed in the written exam papers and by the completion of 16 core practicals.

The full A-Level is examined by three papers testing material from both the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth year. The last of the three A-Level exams includes synoptic style questions as well as a focus on the practical skills.

Further details of the topic areas can be found below, some will seem familiar to GCSE students and others will be entirely new:

Measurements and their errors
Waves
Mechanics and materials
Electricity
Further mechanics
Thermal physics and the Gas laws
Fields and their consequences
Nuclear physics
Particles and radiation
Astrophysics

Trips and Events

Within the Physics Department there is a STEM society for Sixth form students as well as an annual Year 10 Science Evening. The Department runs a biennial trip for the Sixth Form to Geneva and the CERN facility. The purpose of the trip is for students to experience, at first hand, the work of the world’s leading particle accelerator project, linking it to relevant material in the A-Level modules and stretching the pupils beyond the syllabus. We also spend some time taking in a few of the cultural highlights in Geneva itself.

Physics students also enter all levels of the Physics Olympiad and are regularly successful with their outcomes. There are also opportunities for smaller trips for the Lower School and Sixth Form to lectures and events as well as masterclasses and extension programmes.The lecture series aims to introduce our students to real physicists doing cutting-edge and interesting work out in the real-world.

Beyond School

The majority of students from A level Physics go on to study degrees in either Physics or one with an Engineering based background. Physics opens many other doors to other degrees because of the skills and ways of thinking it teaches you. The mathematical and analytical techniques within the A level are valued in a huge range of careers .