Physics is an excellent Sixth Form option that offers students a rigorous intellectual journey into understanding the fundamental principles of the universe. The subject develops advanced problem-solving and analytical skills and is highly prized by universities and employers
The Physics department is highly successful, with annual successes at Oxbridge, as well as other top universities.
We offer three courses in the Sixth Form: OCR A Physics, IB HL Physics, and IB SL Physics.
Should I take IB Physics or A Level Physics?
The IB and A Level courses cover largely similar content. Students start the Lower Sixth by exploring ideas familiar from GCSE in more depth, allowing them to address more complex problems. These modules include Motion, Forces, Waves, Electricity, and Circular Motion. As students progress into the second half of their studies, they encounter new areas such as electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields, as well as quantum physics.
The courses do have slight differences, with the IB course exclusively studying rotational mechanics, heat cycles, and special relativity, while the A Level course exclusively covers particle physics, medical physics, and materials.
Practical work is a cornerstone of our Sixth Form offering, but it is approached differently in the two curricula. In the IB course, students must design and undertake a novel experiment for 20% of their mark, whereas in the A Level course, students must prove their laboratory competence through 12 required practicals, which have no impact on their exam grade.
The IB course is time-pressured in the classroom, with a similar quantity of material being covered in 8 lessons per fortnight as opposed to 12. This means that successful IB Physics students must be highly motivated to consolidate their work consistently outside the classroom. The A Level course provides more opportunity for consolidation within class.
IB Standard Level
The IB Standard Level course mirrors the Higher Level course but with some content removed, such as special relativity, rotational mechanics, and heat cycles. As with the Higher Level offering, 20% of the mark is based on students’ coursework. Standard Level Physics is, counter-intuitively, one of our harder offerings, as the challenge of the material is very high in comparison to the time available.
Course Requirements
For all our Sixth Form options, we require a Grade 8 in both Physics and Maths. Students may take Physics in the Sixth Form without Mathematics, but they must be careful to ensure that their subjects form a valuable package for university applications. Students studying the IB who wish to pursue Physics, Engineering, or Natural Sciences at a top university will need to study the Maths Analysis and Approaches option.
Courses
The Physics department offers the following courses
Contact for further information
Mr Adam Hicks: adh@wellingtoncollege.org.uk