Physics
The aim of the department is to present Physics in a thought provoking, stimulating and challenging manner. The various courses from Senior One through to Senior Six aim to contribute to pupils' general education by helping them make sense of their physical environment through the processes of scientific enquiry and investigation. Physics is taught as a separate science from Senior One onwards, and pupils are presented for external examination at Advanced Higher, Higher and Standard Grade. In addition, the department contributes to the teaching of Integrated Science in Senior One and Transitus.
The vast majority of students who study Physics, even at Higher and Advanced Higher levels, do not go on to become professional physicists, so the courses offered must reflect the contribution which the subject makes to their general education at School, the value of the subject as an entrance qualification for Higher Education and the vast array of applications of Physics in society.
Our courses aim to assist each pupil towards:
- A better understanding of the empirical world around them.
- An improvement in their communication skills.
- An ability to solve problems.
- An understanding, appropriate to their stage, of the nature of Physics.
- A development of their practical and information handling skills.
We believe that the most effective form of differentiation occurs at the level of one-to-one interaction between teacher and individual pupil and the varied level of support needed. The Tutorial System is used at Intermediate 1 & 2 and Higher Grade to provide additional support, as required, to pupils experiencing difficulties at any given time.