Physics

This is a new specification (AQA Physics A) comprising of six units of work completed over two years. Students wishing to gain the AS qualification will be able to do this and will complete three units of work in one year. Any maths skills needed beyond GCSE will be taught as part of the course. Maths is used as a tool to understand how the world works.

Science class

Physics deals with how and why things behave as they do. It helps explain everything in our everyday world and beyond and lies at the heart of all science, engineering and much of our everyday lives. An understanding of Physics is essential in studying how animals communicate, producing weather forecasts, solving crimes, designing vehicles (land, air and sea), taking scans of the human body, dating archaeological remains, harnessing renewable energy resources and much, much more!

What are the entry requirements?

5 A* - C grades at GCSE. You will need to have at least a grade B in both GCSE Science and Additional Science or a grade B in GCSE Physics. You will also need to have at least a grade B in GCSE Mathematics.

How will I be assessed?

AS Unit 1 – ‘Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity’. This is a written examination worth 20% of the A2 marks.
AS Unit 2 – ‘Mechanics, Materials and Waves’. This is a written examination worth 20% of the A2 marks.
AS Unit 3 – Centre Assessed Unit. This involves assessment of practical and investigative skills. You will complete an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) that will be marked by your teachers. This is worth 10% of the total A2 marks.
A2 Unit 4 – ‘Fields and Further Mechanics’. This is a written examination, made up of a combination of multiple choice and structured questions, worth 20% of the A2 marks.
A2 Unit 5 – This is split into two sections – Section A ‘Nuclear and Thermal Physics’ and Section B ‘Turning Points in Physics’. This is a written examination worth 20% of the A2 marks.
A2 Unit 6 - Centre Assessed Unit. This involves assessment of practical and investigative skills. You will complete an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) that will be marked by your teachers. This is worth 10% of the total A2 marks.

Future opportunities

If there's one thing that physicists are good at, it's being able to apply their skills and knowledge to new areas. Whether they realize it or not, physicists have many of the transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. They are analytical, creative and persistent. They are also experts at problem solving and have an eye for detail.

The following are examples of jobs that people with A Level Physics do: careers in medicine and health care, veterinary medicine, product design, architecture, computer industry (including computer games design), meterology, environmental conservation and engineering (mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, civil etc).

Is there anything I need to know?

If you enjoy practical work, 20% of the marks on this course are obtained through investigative work. There is no requirement to study A level Maths if you are taking A Level Physics.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

Ofsted Inspectors