Physics

“For me, Physics is all about solving problems and finding solutions to hard questions…I love solving problems and puzzles, and learning Physics satisfies my natural curiosity for the universe and gives me immense joy when I successfully solve a hard question!”

Charlene, CLC Physics A Level student, Class of 2022

From the earliest lessons in Lower College, girls will find topics are always related to the world around them. Pupils thrive when they can see the real-life relevance of a subject.

We have a focus on skills and content so that our students leave with good levels of laboratory confidence. Problem solving is an innate aspect of physics, so students always need to be ready to think on their feet and voice their opinions and ideas. Girls will thrive if independent thinking and creativity are nurtured.

The Physics Department has five dedicated and well-equipped physics laboratories, which are used for lessons and clubs. Co-curricular physics activities include StarLab (hosted in our digital planetarium, the most high-tech one of its kind in Europe), the Engineering Education Scheme and various competitions. The department also regularly runs projects with the Institute for Research in Schools, most recently the Cosmic Mining project (2021) and was a pilot school for the launch of the ATLAS project (2022), where we worked closely with the Maths department.

The department runs trips, such as to CERN, in Switzerland and to Orlando, Florida to explore the Kennedy Space Center and the physics of Rollercoasters. These are in addition to trips closer to home, such as the Oxford fusion laboratory or the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Oxfordshire.

LC Programme

Students are taken through a wide variety of topics with a focus on experimental skills and reasoning.

UC Programme

The Edexcel IGCSE specification is followed. UC5 are the last year taking Edexcel IGCSE.

SFC Programme

SFC girls can opt to take either Higher or Standard Level physics as part of the IB Diploma, or follow the AQA syllabus for A Level. 

STAFF LIST

Head of Science: Mr Matthew Gill BSc

Acting Head of Physics: Miss Sophie Constantine MSci MInstP

Mrs Rebecca Bennett BSc
Mrs Ruth Levings BSc
Mrs Yuyan Lin BA MEng MA (Cantab)
Miss Jackie Adams BSc
Mrs Michelle Pizii BSc
Mr James Pothecary MSci
Mr Greg Nicholas BEng
Ms Naomi Sorrel MSci
Mrs Seemab Vohra BSc

LABORATORY TECHNICIANS

Mrs Janet Dickson BSc BA
Mr Karl Morris BSc