Physics

Exam Board & Specification: AQA A-Level Physics (7408)

Subject Lead:

Mr S Rolt

What will students study at Key Stage 5?

Year 12: Students establish firm mathematical and experimental skills through measurements/errors, particles and radiation, waves, mechanics/materials and electricity, using required practicals to interrogate models and uncertainty.

Year 13: Students extend into further mechanics/thermal physics, fields (gravitational/electric/magnetic) and nuclear physics, plus an optional strand (e.g., astrophysics), integrating multi‑topic reasoning in extended problems and practical analysis.

What do assessments test?

• AO1: Knowledge/understanding across physics topics and techniques
• AO2: Application to unfamiliar problems with quantitative reasoning
• AO3: Analysis/evaluation including practical skills and data handling

What are the expectations of my child in this subject?

Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.

What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?

Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).

How can I best support my child in this subject?

Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.