PHYSICS
Skills In Physics , we aim to stress the process of scientific investigation . Large parts of the course are taught in context , where students learn through facing problems and having to find their solutions , rather than purely collecting information and memorising details . This approach involves a lot of practical and investigative work to encourage students to test their ideas , apply knowledge to novel situations and communicate their understanding clearly .
Content The IGCSE Edexcel Physics course is taught over three years . The course includes eight major topics : forces and motion , electricity , waves , energy resources and energy transfer , states of matter , electromagnetism , radioactivity and astronomy . Our programme allows us to explore some ideas more widely and to greater depth and is designed to interest , enthuse and encourage students . Some additional material is also included to help students gain a fuller understanding of the practical uses of the physics concepts they study ; earthquakes and resonance , for example .
Enrichment Students ’ knowledge and skillsets are expanded through a broad variety of extra-curricular activities during the IGCSE course . We host a wide range of external speeches that our students can attend during Science Week . They have the opportunity to spend a week in Florida , looking at the Physics behind activities such as indoor skydiving and space travel . Year 11 can participate in the Physics Challenge , which offers the best physicists a chance to stretch themselves further , and are offered the chance to come to Cambridge University ’ s “ Physics at Work ” event . We also run occasional trips to other destinations , such as CERN , and help students apply for summer courses and work experience to extend their understanding .
54 THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS