Members of the Department
Ms K. Kanjee-Mills (HOD)
Mr G Kelly (Head of Key Stage 3 and Double Award Science)

Mr C Watson

Aims
OLS Physics Department is committed to making the subject interesting, contemporary, challenging and accessible to all while promoting active learning in the classroom.

The aims of the department are:
1. Provide the student with a broad spectrum of Physics topics
2. Emphasize the role of Physics in life and other disciplines (Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology)
3. Develop the ability of the students to conduct, observe, analyse and report experiments
4. Develop the ability of the students to deal with physical models and formulae mathematically
5. Provide the student with different practical, intellectual and transferable skills

Key Stage 3
All students follow a combined Junior Science course and are usually taught by either one or two science teachers. The emphasis at Key Stage 3 is to make Physics fun and enjoyable while preparing the girls for assessment at Key Stage 4

The Physics section of the Key Stage 3 Science course covers:
J1 - Energy & Space
J2 - Light, Sound & Heat
J3 - Maths For Science, Electricity, Magnetism & Forces

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
Year 11 & 12 pupils have the opportunity to study Physics as a standalone subject or as part of the Double Award Science qualification. Both approaches follow the CCEA syllabus. Assessment for the course is in the form of two written papers as well as a practical examination based on a set of class taught prescribed practicals .

In the S1 year, topics taught include Force and Motion, Energy, Moments, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion, Kinetic Theory and Density.

In the S2 year, topics taught include Waves, Light, Magnetism, Electricity, Electromagnetism and Space Physics.

A large emphasis is on application of knowledge where pupils are taught to apply skills and understanding taught in class to unfamiliar situations.

Key Stage 5 (GCE)
A Level Physics is normally chosen by a relatively small number of students but class sizes allow for close interaction between teacher and student and promotes self confidence in class discussion and group activity. On successful completion of the course, students should have a comprehensive knowledge and a sound understanding of Physics together with the practical, analytical and mathematical skills of a Physicist.

They should have acquired a range of general skills, including the ability to evaluate information, to identify key issues, to solve problems, to complete a task by a deadline, to use computers with confidence, to work productively with other people, to communicate effectively and to learn independently.

Both the AS and A2 year are assessed by two written papers and a practical assessment. The practical assessment is made up of two components (taken separately) that focuses of experimental and investigative skills in the first part while data analysis skills are the focus in the second.

The course is taught by a single specialist teacher and is arranged as:
AS 1: Forces, Energy and Electricity
AS 2: Waves, Photons and Astronomy
AS 3: Practical Techniques and Data Analysis

A2 1: Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics
A2 2: Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics
A2 3: Practical Techniques and Data Analysis

Extra-curricular
Students in OLS have to opportunity to study for an Essential Skills Qualification in Space Science Technology as well as participate in the prestigious University of Oxford Physics Olympiad. Recent success in launching a High Altitude Balloon (HAB) into the upper atmosphere has lead to the formation of a HAB club. Revision clinics are offered to all students who wish to avail of them.

Career Opportunities

• Accelerator Operator
• Accountant
• Applications Engineer
• Astronomer
• Data Analyst
• Design Engineer
• IT Consultant
• Lab Technician
• Laser Engineer
• Optical Engineer
• Teacher
• Research Associate
• Software Developer
• Systems Analyst
• Technical Specialist
• Web Developer

Physics, and the skills it teaches, are highly sought after in both the science and non-science work sectors. The challenge the subject offers is well known by employers and completion of the course is highly respected.