Science Curriculum - Physics

Why is the study of Physics important?

Physics is the study of matter, energy and the interaction between them and is crucially important to our future on Earth and in the universe. The Physics strand of our curriculum has been deliberately sequenced in a way that establishes student’s prior knowledge and experiences, builds on this understanding and allows them to apply their new knowledge to their own context as a student at Sirius Academy West in Hull. The curriculum will also ensure that students are curious about local, national and global applications of their Physics study.

Across the Physics strand of the curriculum, all students will explore key areas such as energy, electricity, waves and forces. Students will gain an appreciation of how topics interlink and their relevance to the world outside of Sirius Academy West.

Students will have the continual opportunity to develop and hone their practical skills with key ‘working scientifically’ criteria interwoven through each unit across the 5 years of study. Most importantly, students will study a Physics curriculum that is relevant to their own life as a Sirius student in Hull with many links to local industries, attractions, sports teams, City of culture and more. We strongly believe that students will enjoy the subject more if it is explicitly relevant to their life growing up in the City of Hull.

What skills will the study of Physics teach you?

As a student of Physics at Sirius Academy West, with our state of the art facilities, we are able to bring the Physical world to life.  Our bespoke sequenced curriculum will teach students to:

• Understand key concepts and keep up to date with emerging local, national and global developments
• Create and interpret models that support this understanding
• Carry out experiments and link experimental findings to scientific theories
• Present, interpret and evaluate experimental data
• Apply mathematical skills and key Physics equations to solve problems
• Develop a deeper understanding of how scientific concepts are relevant to our everyday life

How does your study of Physics support your study in other subjects?

Physics underpins many of the skills and concepts delivered in the Biology and Chemistry strands of our curriculum. We believe that by interleaving the three Science disciplines in the implementation of our curriculum, students will gain a deep understanding of the interactions between them, as well as improve their long-term retention of the different strands.

The Physics strand also has close links with the Mathematics curriculum and the two departments have collaborated closely to ensure that the curriculum is sequenced in a way that supports the student’s transferrable skills and ensures that students do not compartmentalise their learning.

At Sirius Academy West, STEM provision is a real strength of the school. Our curriculum allows all students to use the skills developed in Mathematics, Technology and other subjects in different contexts in the Science curriculum. The extra- curricular opportunities provided ensure that the sequenced curriculum is supplemented with expertise from local Science and industry. We believe that this helps students understand the relevance and ignites their curiosity further, with many of them choosing to pursue scientific careers or further study.

Key Assessment Objectives
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• Scientific ideas • Scientific techniques • Scientific procedures
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of:
• Scientific ideas • Scientific enquiry • Scientific techniques and procedures
AO3: Analyse information and ideas to:
 • Interpret and evaluate • Make judgements and draw conclusions • Develop and improve experimental procedure

How can Physics support your future?

Students will be immersed in the study of Physics from years 7 to 11. Our aim is to encourage as many students as possible to continue their study beyond the compulsory school years as we offer the rigorous A Level Physics course at Key Stage 5.
Careers that the study of Physics supports includes:

• Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
• Engineering and mechanics
• Nuclear Science
• Aerospace
• Renewable energy
• Radiography

If students do not choose this career pathway, or it is not appropriate for them, we strongly believe that the study of Physics will support their everyday life as a key member of society, especially with their newly developed transferable skills. For instance, understanding current issues both locally, nationally and globally ensures that students are able to keep up to date with current affairs. An understanding of Physics also allows them to have an awareness of their surroundings, especially with the growth of the renewables sector and chemical industry in Hull.
Other exciting developments globally such as the recent findings about Black holes, the growth of nuclear energy and the continued advancement of Quantum Physics ensures that our students are constantly relating their new knowledge to the constantly and emerging world.

In addition to the content above, students studying the KS4 Triple Science course will also gain the following knowledge from the Physics strand:

• Static electricity
• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion
• Levers and gears
• Ultrasound
• Lenses
• Transformers
• Life cycle of stars
• Red-shift
• Formation of elements in space

View Science Curriculum