Department:
Miss C Walters - Head of Science Department and Chemistry
Mr D Davies - Head of Physics
Mrs L Downey
Miss L Elena
Mr J Evans
Mrs A Jones
Mr O Jones
Miss C Ormerod - Head of Biology
To contact a member of staff please email post@bromorgannwg.org.uk
Twitter: @gwyddygbm
Extra Activities
- Science Club
- STEM Club
- DNA workshop
- Science in Health live
- Life Sciences Challenge
- Engineering Team Challenge
- Top of the Bench - Royal Society of Chemistry
- Faraday Challenge
“Although difficult, Physics is one of the subjects that never gets boring. The work and lessons are interesting, with a variety of topics and experiments that open your eyes to how the world works!”
“I really enjoy the lessons, there is a good balance between theory lessons and classroom experiments.”
“There is a wide range of units that provide a good foundation for university work.”
KS4 (Year 10-11)
Pupils are placed in Sets by the Department, based on performance and ability. Three different courses are offered to GCSE pupils, and each set will follow a Science course that is most well suited to the class.
Science course |
Number of GCSEs gained at the end of Year 11 |
Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) |
3 |
Science Double Award |
2 |
Applied Science (Single award) |
1 |
To study at Advanced Level pupils must have a grade ‘B’ or better in that particular Science.
Separate Sciences (‘Triple Science’) GCSE The three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are assessed independently of each other and pupils will be awarded a separate grade for each one.
Written external examination 90% |
When? |
Controlled assessment (practical) 10% |
Chemistry 1 Biology 1 Physics1 80 marks per paper 1hr 45 min per paper. |
End of Year 10 |
30 marks each: one Chemistry assessment one Biology assessment one Physics assessment |
Chemistry 2 Biology 2 Physics2 80 marks per paper 1hr 45 min per paper. |
End of Year 11 |
Every external, written examination is available in two Tiers: Foundation Tier (which allows grades C to G) and Upper Tier (which allows grades A* to E). The Controlled Assessments (practical) are all on the same tier. A good mark in the practical tasks can allow a Foundation Tier candidate to gain a B-grade overall (as long as their written paper marks are good).
Science Double Award The three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are assessed in separate examinations, but marks are combined to give an overall double grade for Science. This course contains less content than the separate sciences course, but pupils are still able to study science at Advanced Level if they have a grade ‘B’ in that particular science.
Written external examination 90% |
When? |
Controlled assessment (practical) 10% |
Chemistry 1 Biology 1 Physics1 60 marks per paper 1hr 15 min per paper |
End of Year 10 |
Pupils will complete two assessments from the following: one Chemistry assessment (30 marks) one Biology assessment (30 marks) one Physics assessment (30 marks) |
Chemistry 2 Biology 2 Physics2 60 marks per paper 1hr 15 min per paper |
End of Year 11 |
Applied Science (Single award) The three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are all integrated in each unit. This course offers more opportunities to conduct practical work, with 30% of the marks awarded for practical tasks. Marks from the following 4 Units are all combined to give an overall grade for Science.
Examination |
When? |
Unit 1 – Science in the modern world 75 marks 1hr 30 min |
External examination at the end of Yr 10 |
Unit 2 – Science to support our lifestyles 75 marks 1hr 30 min. |
External examination at the end of Yr 11 |
Unit 3 – Task based assessment 60 marks |
Practical assessment November-December of Yr 11 |
Unit 4 – Practical assessment 60 marks |
Practical assessment January-February of Yr 11 |
KS5 (Year 12-13)
Entry Requirements:
To study physics in Year 12 you should attain B grade or higher in Physics and Mathematics at GCSE. You will have sat the Higher Tier papers in these subjects.
What is Physics?
Physics is at the heart of everything and is a highly rewarding discipline to study at school, university and beyond. It helps find answers to questions such as how did the universe begin and how will it end? What is a black hole? Is time travel possible? Physics forms the basis of most modern technologies and holds the future to global well-being. From the smallest part of the human body to the great clusters of galaxies, physics helps us understand how our world works.
What will I learn whilst studying Physics?
AS Unit 1. Motion, Energy and Matter
AS Unit 2. Electricity and Light
U2 Unit 3. Oscillations and Nuclei
U2 Unit 4. Fields and Options
U2 Unit 5. Practical Examination
Possible Careers:
Physics opens doors to a wide variety of careers. Over half of all physicists work in Research and Development, Engineering, and Information Technology. Others work in medicine, astronomy, meteorology and of course, teaching. Careers that can offer physicists good employment opportunities and some of the best-paid jobs are in the financial sectors, telecommunications and the electrical industry - each with an average salary of about £40K! Some physicists work on problems at the frontiers of knowledge; others tackle the challenging problems that arise in the application of physical ideas to industrial and engineering problems - offering personal satisfaction as great as that from work in ‘frontier’ physics.
Link to the website of the course cbac.co.uk/qualifications/science/as-a-level/physics-as-a-level-2015/