Physics
At Loretto we aim to give students the skills and knowledge that will provide them with a wide range of career options and sustain a lifelong interest in science and Physics. We use real-world contexts and technology to bring the subject to life as pupils learn how to model, sequence and investigate the important concepts underpinning classical and modern Physics.
Uniquely for Loretto, this begins in Year 7 of Junior School and carries all the way through the KS3, (AQA) GCSE and (AQA) A-Level Physics curricula. Pupils benefit from dedicated specialist Physics teachers utilising a range of premium equipment including thermal imaging cameras, data-processing kits, electronic components, lasers, interferometers, motors and telescopes to name but a few.
Classes are taught within spacious Physics laboratories with modern pedagogical approaches which target safe, nurturing and rewarding learning environments for all students. Our Physics Teachers provide one-to-one support for students during after-school academic workshops which offer support with homework, lesson catch-up, further study as well as exam preparation when nearing exam-time.
All pupils study Physics up to GCSE and are taught by specialist teachers. This journey begins in Third Form, when they complete topics including Physics skills, Energy, Forces and Motion and Waves.
We deliver a curriculum aimed at developing pupils’ practical and problem-solving skills. This is extended outside the classroom through the STEM enrichment activity where students are encouraged to put their questions and ideas to the test by designing, planning, and conducting an enquiry-based project. These experiences prepare them well for the start of their GCSE studies in Fourth Form.
At the start of Fourth Form, each pupil will select whether they wish to obtain a standalone qualification or study Physics as part of the Combined Science GCSE. Both courses follow the AQA exam board.
In Sixth Form, we follow the AQA Physics course in which pupils will study eight topics including Mechanics, Electricity, Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and more. There are a number of options available for the ninth topic which is traditionally “Turning Points in Physics” however options include Astrophysics, Medical Physics, Further Mechanics.
Students also complete 12 ‘required practical’ experiments which are assessed and result in a practical endorsement for A-Level. Many more experiments are completed, enabling students to test theories, refine experimental skills and build essential data analytical skills to process and reflect on their results.
Physics is an important driver of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is recognised for requiring a particularly technical skillset. As a result, Physicists are finding themselves sought-after in an ever-growing diverse economy from traditional research and engineering careers to medicine, economics, marketing, AI and computing, game design and many more.
Full details of the course and required practical’s can be found at https://www.aqa.org.uk.