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Overview

This course is designed to provide a distinctive structure in which students learn both about fundamental physical concepts and about physics in technological settings. How physics is practised and used today, and illustrating the impact which discoveries in physics have had on the way people live, are important aspects of the course.

The course is aimed at those who have achieved GCSE in Science grade C or an intermediate GNVQ Science. After completing this course, students will be able to progress into further or higher education, to follow courses in physics or engineering.

Specification aims

The aims of these specifications are to encourage students to:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of physics and an appreciation between theory and experiment.
• Appreciate how physics has developed and is used in present day society, acknowledging the importance of physics as a human endeavour which has historical, social, philosophical, economic and technological connections.
• Sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, physics.
• Recognise the quantitative nature of physics and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles. In the Advanced GCE course they should appreciate how scientific models are developed and the power they can have to help understanding.
• Bring together knowledge to illustrate ways in which different areas of physics relate to each other.

The course should provide for students' future by:

• Developing their ability to learn independently.
• Opening new horizons, giving them visions of a variety of possible lives.
• Providing a variety of activities to help them understand their own strenghts and the possibilities for their future.
• Providing opportunities for students to acquire and demonstrate competence in the Key Skills.

The course should develop students' interest by:

• Stimulating their curiosity.
• Providing depth and challenge.
• Providing manageable choice.
• Being up to date and connected to the life of the student.

The course should be made enjoyable by:

• Using a wide range of teaching and learning styles.
• Providing opportunities for students to explore their interests.
• Giving students ownership of their learning.

The course must meet the expectations of:

• The student who is looking for interest, enjoyment and a worthwhile qualification.
• The teacher who is looking for a varied stimulating course with room for initiative and professional involvement.
• Employers and HE who expect qualified students to have certain skills and knowledge.

The course develops a culture of success through:

• Being accessible to students from a range of backgrounds.
• Providing opportunities for positive achievement.
• Having an assessment model which is accessible and provides profitable experiences, whilst being discriminating, reliable and valid.