Information Book Just for Starters - Stockport Grammar School

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PHYSICS We aim to: • Present pupils with a challenging yet enjoyable experience • Stimulate and encourage questions about the physical world • Develop observational and analytical skills, with a firm emphasis on practical work Why study Physics? Physics investigates the most fundamental issues, from the creation and development of the Universe, to the smallest particles making up the atom. The products of Physics affect our everyday lives. We consider how satellite communications and computers have revolutionised how we organise our lives and the ways in which advances in Medical Physics continue to improve diagnosis and treatment. How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle? Lower School................................................ 3 lessons with 2 x 30 minute homework tasks GCSE ............................................................................5 lessons with 2 hours of homework A Level ..................................................................... 10 lessons with additional homework How will I learn Physics? Physics is taught as an individual science by one of our six specialist Physicists. All lessons take place in one of our five modern, well-equipped Physics laboratories, each with its own computing facilities, visualiser and digital projector. The department prides itself on its resources and range of modern equipment. We are supported by three Physics technicians. The Physics block, which opened in September 2005, has been purpose built and was designed to satisfy our demands for state-of-the-art resources. There is a mixture of traditional ideas and modern concepts. We recognise that pupils need a sound foundation in the subject but we also explore modern applications. What is Physics homework like? During the first three years, homework will be set once each week to be completed that evening and handed in for marking the following morning. It will usually relate directly to the work in class and will give an opportunity to practise and help advance understanding. Pupils might also be asked to research a topic and, perhaps, present their findings on a poster for a display. In each of the three years there is a major independent research project which involves library lessons. In the First Year pupils are asked to research and then create a Space poster about a planet or other space object of interest to them. What is Physics in the Lower School like? In the Lower School pupils will develop an understanding of the key areas such as Light and Sound, the Earth and Space, Energy, Forces, Electricity, Electronics, Magnetism and simple Nuclear Physics. Each year builds on the previous year’s work. There is an emphasis on practical work and the subject’s relevance to everyday situations. What happens further up the school? At GCSE we follow the International IGCSE. We feel this is very well suited to the needs of our pupils and provides a sound basis for further study. It allows us to teach Physics with a modern approach and carry out a variety of practical work. At A Level we follow the modern Advancing Physics course developed by the Institute of Physics. Most of the resources come on a CD which is available on the school network. The 40
course allows the study of the most up-to-date scientific developments and technology. We have laboratories fully equipped for this course and its significant IT dependence. Pupils have some opportunity to tailor the course to their own interests through coursework which counts for 20% in each year. What else can I expect? We have a popular Astronomy GCSE option. This is done as an extra-curricular activity in the Third and Fourth Year. We have two optical telescopes and a telescope camera kindly donated to the department. We enter a team for the Physics Olympics at Liverpool University each year. It is a fun event and we have won the gold medal four times in ten years. Each year we enter several pupils for the National Physics Olympiad. We have had a number of pupils in the top fifteen in the country (they attend a presentation at the Royal Society). A former pupil came in the top five and represented the country in the International Olympiad in Reykjavik. Our pupils have also won awards for the top A Level Physics performance on a number of occasions. PHYSICS We have a set of laptops and a colour laser printer so that all years will have ICT fully integrated into their course. 41
Page 1: STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL Informatio
Page 5 and 6: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LOWER SCHOOL
Page 7 and 8: Coupled with this system of discipl
Page 9 and 10: INFORMATION ON FIRST YEAR CO-CURRIC
Page 11 and 12: THE HALLAM LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTRE
Page 13 and 14: We aim to: Sustain a lively and cre
Page 15 and 16: We aim to: • Encourage pupils to
Page 17 and 18: We aim to: In the first three years
Page 19 and 20: We aim to: Introduce pupils to the
Page 21 and 22: In the first two years we aim to de
Page 23 and 24: What happens further up the school?
Page 25 and 26: At A Level there are usually two gr
Page 29 and 30: • Transport: trends • Tourism a
Page 31 and 32: Does the department make any links
Page 33 and 34: Can I do my homework at school? Yes
Page 35 and 36: We aim: To instil in pupils an appr
Page 37 and 38: made the team itself. The junior co
Page 41 and 42: We aim: To offer a diverse and incl
Page 43: school on a Saturday. The school te
Page 47 and 48: Technology is comprised of three su
Page 49 and 50: What is Design and Technology in th
Page 51 and 52: Second Year: They work on a range o
Page 53 and 54: School are therefore generally wide
Page 55 and 56: What about Spanish at A Level? Sets
Page 57 and 58: Every Sixth Former should have a wi
Page 59 and 60: environment, government legislation
Page 61 and 62: We aim to: • Provide enjoyable an
Page 63 and 64: The Enrichment Programme is primari
Page 66: www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Email sg

Information Book Just for Starters - Stockport Grammar School

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