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  1. Home
  2. Curriculum
  3. Subjects
  4. Physics

Welcome to Physics

Our approach
Subject Leader
Curriculum Overview
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13

Our approach

Science is the knowledge of the known universe and our relationship to it. Science consists of three distinct academic disciplines – biology is the study of life, chemistry the study of the properties of matter, and physics the study of energy, forces and matter. Pupils have the opportunity to study science for 7 years at Ark St Alban’s academy, progressing from key-stage three to studying A-level biology, chemistry, physics or BTEC applied science.   

Each scientific discipline has been divided into four big concepts of science that allow pupils to make connections between different units of work, deepening their understanding over time.  In addition, pupils will also explore different concepts of working scientifically. These ideas are interwoven throughout the curriculum to ensure that pupils develop an understanding of scientific method in context.   

We use AQA as our exam board for our GCSEs and A-level courses.  Pupils at GCSE will either study combined science trilogy, or separate sciences. The specification giving a detailed breakdown of the content required is available on the AQA website. 

Pupils use Century for their homework, and can also use this as an independent study tool. By clicking the icon that looks like a book on their home page, they can search for the topics listed below to study at any time. GCSE and A-level pupils can also access study booklets, lesson PowerPoints and exam practice from our pupil SharePoint sites.  

 

Subject Leader

Amber Barnard

amber.barnard@arkstalbans.org

Curriculum Overview

  • Physics Curriculum Overview (172.39 KB)

Year 7

Autumn Term
  • P7.1 - What is the connection between the arrangement of particles and density? 

  • P7.2 - How is energy transferred between different stores? 

Spring Term
  • P7.3 - How do forces affect the motion and shape of an object? 

  • P7.4 - What happens to current, charge and potential difference in series and parallel circuits? 

Summer Term
  • P7.5 - What affects pressure in a gas, liquid and solid? 

  • P7.6 - How can gravity explain the movement of planets, moons and stars in the solar system? 

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Further Maths

Year 8

Autumn Term
  • P8.1 - What happens to particles when a substance is heated? 

  • P8.2 - How do waves transfer energy? 

Spring Term
  • P8.3 - What does a distance time graph tell us about the motion of an object? 

  • P8.4 - What happens to resistance in series and parallel circuits? 

Summer Term
P8.5 - How is energy transferred by appliances and machines? 

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Further Maths

Year 9

Autumn Term
  • P9.1 - What is the relationship between temperature, state, density and pressure? 

  • P9.2 - Are energy transfers efficient? 

Spring Term
  • P9.3 - What are vector and scalar quantities? 

  • P9.4 - How does the length of a wire affect the resistance in a circuit? 

Summer Term
P9.5 - How do electrical and magnetic fields affect other objects? 

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Further Maths

Year 10

Autumn Term
  • P10.1 - How does particle arrangement and motion affect the internal energy of a substance? (paper 1) 

  • P10.2- How are different energy resources used to transfer energy? (paper 1) 

Spring Term
  • P10.3 - What are resultant forces and how can they be determined? (paper 2) 

  • P10.4 - What is the relationship between power, potential difference, current and resistance? (paper 1) 

  • P10.5 - What do distance time graphs tell us about motion? (paper 2) 

Summer Term
  • P10.6 - How do circuit components, appliances and the national grid affect potential difference, current and resistance? (paper 1) 

  • Reteach – Using the physics equation sheet 

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Further Maths

Year 11

Autumn 1
  • P11.1 - What effect does alpha, beta, and gamma radiation have on atoms? (paper 1) 

  • P11.2 - How does the electromagnetic spectrum transfer energy? (paper 2) 

  • P11.3 - What factors affect acceleration, deceleration and stopping distance? (paper 2) 

Spring 1
  • P11.4 - How do electromagnetics and electric motors work? (paper 1) 
Summer 1
  • Revision & exams  

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Further Maths

 

Year 12

Autumn Term
  • 3.4 Mechanics 

  • 3.5 Electricity 

Spring Term
  • 3.3 Waves 

  • 3.4 Materials 

  • 3.2 Particles and Radiation 

Summer Term
3.6 Further Mechanics 

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Further Maths

 

Year 13

Autumn Term
  • 3.6 Thermal Physics 

  • 3.7 Fields and their consequences 

Spring Term
  • 3.8 Nuclear Physics 

  • 3.12 Turning Points 

Summer Term
  • Revision & Exams 

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Further Maths

 

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