Physics

Physics
Head of Department: Mr Richard Wilk
Teaching Staff:
Mr S Tall
Dr G Coulson
Mr G Beardsall
 Senior Support Staff: Mrs G Smith
Physics offers the unique opportunity to understand how the world around you really works. It appeals to people with enquiring minds who enjoy practical work and are interested in developing multidisciplinary skills that are useful in all areas of employment.
Physics underpins all science and engineering and is crucial to careers in such diverse fields as aerospace and automobile engineering, medical sciences, electronics and space exploration.
The Physics Department nurtures the interests of its students and is steeped in a history of excellent performance. The obvious achievements of Sir Isaac Newton, the King’s School’s former pupil still drives the department to achieve the highest accolades and results.
The physics staff have experience of working in industry as well as being experienced teachers. They use a wide variety of activities including exciting demonstrations, computer simulations and group practical work.
At Key Stage 4 all students follow the Edexcel 360 Science course with approximately 20% studying for success in Science, Additional Science and GCSE Physics. The course requires assessment by external examination, internally marked tests and teacher assessment of practical skills.
At Key Stage 5 the department boasts a very well subscribed course (three groups of students in both years 12 and 13) follows the new AQA Specification A. The choice of specification provides choice and a content that is exciting and stimulating for all students.
Many of the students leave to take up places at university in diverse fields such as Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Electrical & Aeronautical Engineering and of course Physics!
The department is generally well equipped with interactive whiteboards, laptop computer access and a fully refurbished third laboratory, thanks to the Wolfson Foundation’s generosity.