Key Stage 3

In Years 9 and 10 all pupils follow a practically based physics course as a separate subject.

In Year 9 pupils cover the following topics in Physics:

•Forces

•Energy

•Light

•Earth and Space

Practical and investigative skills are developed through assessment for learning activities; pupils develop their skill in presenting a scientific report together with managing information, working with others, decision making and problem solving. Lessons are resourced through the use of animations and active learning activities, Power Points, images, simulations, relevant experiments and science programmes.

Homework will give the pupils the opportunity to develop skills on which they have been focussing in class and are generally set on a weekly basis. Homeworks include completion tasks, research, writing up an experiment, learning definitions and revising for tests. At the end of each unit of work pupils complete a standardised test.

In Year 10 pupils study Physics for 2 periods each week. Pupils cover the following topics:

•Moments and Levers

•Pressure

•Static Electricity

•Current Electricity

•Magnetism

•Electromagnetism

Practical and investigative skills are developed; pupils also develop their skills in presenting a scientific report and also have many opportunities to develop skills in ICT and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities of Managing Information, Working With Others, Decision Making and Problem Solving.

Lessons are resourced through the use of animations, active learning activities, Power Points, images, simulations, relevant experiments and science programmes. Homework will give the pupils the opportunity to consolidate learning and is generally set on a weekly basis. Homeworks include completion tasks, research, writing up an experiment, learning definitions and revising for tests. At the end of each unit of work pupils complete a standardised test. Throughout the year pupils are encouraged to review their individual performance and set targets for improvement.