Head of Department: Mr A. Tobve.

Members of staff:Mr M Marimira, Mr W Mahwehwe and Ms S. Rahman. 

Courses

The Physics Department boasts of having three fully qualified teachers who are capable of teaching Physics up to A level, and well-equipped laboratories that allow the learners exposure to a teaching programme with considerable emphasis on practical work.

IGCSE Level (Form 3 & 4) Physics

Sets 1 – 3 are taught the IGCSE Physics Extended option and Set 4 takes the Core option of the syllabus. However, some exceptional learners in the latter are allowed to sit the Extended examination. Set 5 take up Core Physical Science which is a combination of Chemistry and Physics. The Physical Science course is not considered to be adequate preparation for further studies at A level. 

Learners embark on various projects and take part in practical work to enhance their learning and skills, and at the end of the course, they write Multiple Choice, Structured and Alternative to Practical examinations.

AS and A Level (Sixth Form) Physics

Physics is a popular subject at A level, with three classes at both AS and A2 level each year, of between 15 and 20 learners per class. The minimum entry requirement is a B grade in Pure Physics and an A* grade in Physical Science at IGCSE level. 

A level Physics is a highly demanding subject and learners need to be diligent in their approach! Learners design, analyse and perform experiments using principles and concepts that are within the syllabus. Cooperative learning is hugely encouraged and from time to time learners are assigned projects.

The AS syllabus topics cover the three main sections of Physics and three examination papers are written at the end of Lower Six, including a Multiple-Choice paper, a Structured Response paper and a Practical examination.

A2 topics are a continuation of AS topics and two examination papers are written at the end of Upper Six (Year 13). These A2 topics together with applications of Physics in Electronics, Telecommunication as well as in the Medicine form part of the Structured Response paper, and a further paper is written on experimental design, analysis and evaluation of results. 

Career Prospects

Industries employing physicists are varied and include aerospace and defence, education, energy and renewable energy, engineering, health and medicine, instrumentation, manufacturing, meteorology and climate change, nanotechnology, oil and gas, science and telecommunications.

Physics graduates also move into careers outside of science. Popular options include banking and finance, as well as the software, computing and consultancy industries. Other areas include accountancy, law and transport.