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Academic

Physics

The Physics department at The Tiffin Girls’ School is dedicated to inspiring our students to explore and understand the Universe. It aims to introduce students to the wonders of the natural world from the tiniest of subatomic particles to the immensity of space. An understanding of Physics gives us the tools to understand the world and the way it works.

We follow the AQA GCSE course in Years 9-11. We start with the basics of matter in Year 9 with Kinetic Theory and Energy. In Year 10 we cover waves, both mechanical and electromagnetic, then discover radioactivity and nuclear Physics and relate this to the lifecycle of a star. We finish Year 10 by studying static and circuit electricity. In Year 11 we cover the Forces and mechanics topics and finish off with the exciting topic of electromagnetism.

At A-Level, we study the AQA course, which provides a range of topics from the fundamental basics of the subject to exciting topics such as Astrophysics and subatomic particles.

In Physics, we work in conjunction with the other sciences to teach the students key lab skills training them to be methodical and accurate as well as giving them a much deeper understanding of the scientific method.

We aim to offer many opportunities for extra-curricular enrichment. Some examples of what we do for this include the Physics Senior Challenge for Year 12 and the Physics Olympiad for Year 13. We run yearly trips to Physics in Action and there are a number of extra-curricular clubs run both by staff and by sixth formers including Engineering Club, Industrial Cadets Bronze and Gold Awards, and Engineering masterclasses with the Royal Institute.

Each year our Sixth Form Physics associates play a valuable part in supporting the department in running open evenings and in finding ways to promote Physics within the school. They also take part in a mentoring programme supporting younger students with their studies.