Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences as it seeks to explain the Universe itself. From the classical physics of Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics to the modern physics of quantum mechanics, general relativity and chaos theory, the scientific processes conducted by the most eminent scientists in the past are the same ones followed by working physicists today and crucially are also accessible to students in schools. However, Physics is not just about staring out into the universe or obsessing over the tiniest of particles that make up the vastness of space. Physics is at the heart of the discovery, and evolution of ideas and technology. Its very nature means that it is at the forefront of advances in communication, medical technology, renewable energy and exploration. To study physics you must be curious and creative and have ambition and drive. Being able to look beyond the syllabus and explore new ideas is key to success in this subject. ‘Look up at the stars and not down at your feet…Be curious.’ Stephen Hawking. All students studying IB Physics will study key theories and engage in experimental work. The SL course provides students with a fundamental understanding of physics whilst developing key skills. The HL course requires further in-depth study with extra topics allowing students to gain a solid foundation for further study at university. At Higher Level, you will study the same core as above but in addition, you will study further topics including, rigid body mechanics, Galilean and special relativity, thermodynamics, induction and quantum physics. Students will also carry out an individual investigation. This internally assessed work will demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge. This allows students to develop personal engagement with the subject matter as they design and test out their theories and ideas. Students may have the opportunity to visit Geneva on the CERN trip as well as participate in physics and engineering society events and UCL lectures. Students enjoy writing articles for Accelerate the Physics magazine and giving lectures as part of the PhysEng society.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith and Fulham |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £26,831 |
| Address | Iffley Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0PG |
Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences as it seeks to explain the Universe itself. From the classical physics of Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics to the modern physics of quantum mechanics, general relativity and chaos theory, the scientific processes conducted by the most eminent scientists in the past are the same ones followed by working physicists today and crucially are also accessible to students in schools. However, Physics is not just about staring out into the universe or obsessing over the tiniest of particles that make up the vastness of space. Physics is at the heart of the discovery, and evolution of ideas and technology. Its very nature means that it is at the forefront of advances in communication, medical technology, renewable energy and exploration. To study physics you must be curious and creative and have ambition and drive. Being able to look beyond the syllabus and explore new ideas is key to success in this subject. ‘Look up at the stars and not down at your feet…Be curious.’ Stephen Hawking. All students studying IB Physics will study key theories and engage in experimental work. The SL course provides students with a fundamental understanding of physics whilst developing key skills. The HL course requires further in-depth study with extra topics allowing students to gain a solid foundation for further study at university. At Higher Level, you will study the same core as above but in addition, you will study further topics including, rigid body mechanics, Galilean and special relativity, thermodynamics, induction and quantum physics. Students will also carry out an individual investigation. This internally assessed work will demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge. This allows students to develop personal engagement with the subject matter as they design and test out their theories and ideas. Students may have the opportunity to visit Geneva on the CERN trip as well as participate in physics and engineering society events and UCL lectures. Students enjoy writing articles for Accelerate the Physics magazine and giving lectures as part of the PhysEng society.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
