Physics
At
The Rural Enterprise Academy
A Level
Student Handbook (2014 – 2015)
Name ___________________________
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Contents
Page
3
Introduction
4
Expectations
5
Assessment
8
Grade descriptors
10
Text books & websites
11
Support & Exam Dates
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Introduction
This handbook is to prepare, support and guide all students taking AS Level
Physics at The Rural Enterprise Academy. We hope that it provides you with all
the relevant information you require and gives a “helping hand” to get you
through the course.
The department and its teaching staff have high expectations of its students
and as such provide high standards of teaching. This handbook will make clear
what “we” expect of “you” and what “you” expect of “us”.
Enjoy!
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Expectations
We have the following expectations to help you achieve the best possible grade
and to make teaching and learning enjoyable.
We expect you to:
1. Continue your studies outside of lesson time.
You must put in at least an extra 60 minutes per 60 minute lesson of
study.
You must do this to strengthen your understanding.
2. Complete assigned homework. It is essential to independently assess your
own work and understanding, as well as to make sure that it is handed in
on time.
If you are struggling or cannot answer certain questions you must seek
help.
3. Have excellent attendance. If you are absent you must speak to your
teacher and ensure you catch up on your work.
4. You must be punctual to all your lessons. Lateness to class will be
recorded.
5. Write your own notes and keep them up to date. Your notes will be
checked once every half term.
6. Be fully equipped for lessons – this includes having a scientific calculator.
7. Behave responsibly and follow your teacher’s instructions.
Failure to adhere to our expectations will result in “strikes” being written in
your planner. If three strikes are given, a letter will be sent home. Two
strike letters result in a two week subject report being issued. Being on
report will also initiate a referral to the Head of Sixth form and your
continuation on the course may be reviewed at this stage.
It is only fair that for us to have high expectations of you, that you also have
expectations of us. We will make sure that:
 You are provided with high quality lessons
 You will be set a challenging target – which can be increased
 Work will be marked and progression targets set
 Peer assessment will be put into place so that you can become familiar
with assessment objectives.
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Assessment
Taking any A or AS Level is dramatically different from GCSE. There is a
whole emphasis on ‘independent study’. You have to do a lot more work in
your own time to achieve the best you possibly can.
Our data is based on ALPS and defines the challenging targetgrades
students should be aiming for relative to GCSE scores.
The minimum target grades the data suggests are as follows:
AVERAGE GCSE GRADE
A*
A
B
B
CHALLENGING TARGET
A+
(A* at AS level)
A
A/B
B/C
You will also be issued with an ALPS grade.
Targets will be set according to your average GCSE score. You will be
requiring many of the skills you have previously learnt in English, Maths
and Science.
We follow the AQA Specification, Physics A.
Assessment Objectives
The Assessment Objectives are common to AS and A level. The
assessment units will assess the following Assessment Objectives in the
context of the content and skills.
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AO1: Knowledge and understanding of science and of How Science Works
Candidates should be able to:
a) Recognise, recall and show understanding of scientific knowledge
b) Select, organise and communicate relevant information in a variety of
forms
AO2: Application of knowledge and understanding of science and How
Science Works
Candidates should be able to:
a) Analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge and processes
b) Apply scientific knowledge and processes to unfamiliar situations,
including those related to issues
c) Assess the validity, reliability and credibility of scientific information
AO3: How Science Works – Physics
Candidates should be able to:
a) Demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques
and processes, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods
b) Make, record and communicate reliable and valid observations and
measurements with appropriate precision and accuracy
c) Analyse, interpret, explain and evaluate the methodology, results and
impact of their own and others’ experimental and investigative actives in
a variety of ways.
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Examinations
You will take two 1 hour 15 minute exams at the end of AS. If you continue to
A2 you will take two 1 hour 45 minute exams.
You will also have an internal assessment – Investigative and Practical Skills in
AS or A2 Physics.
AS Examinations
Unit 1 – PHYA1 Particles, quantum phenomena and electricity.
Questions include definitions, explanations, problem solving and calculations.
40% of the total AS marks, 20% of the total A level marks.
Unit 2 – PHYA2 Mechanics, materials and waves.
Questions include definitions, explanations, problem solving and calculations.
40% of the total AS marks,
20% of the total A Level marks
Unit 3 – Internal Assessment. Investigative and practical skills in AS Physics
PHA3T– Centre marked Practical Skills Assessment (9 raw marks) and
Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA – 41 raw marks)
20% of the total AS marks
10% of the total A Level marks
A2 Examinations
Unit 4 – PHYA4 Fields and further mechanics
Questions include definitions, explanations, problem solving and calculations.
Some of the questions will have synoptic elements.
20 % of the total A level marks.
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Unit 5 – One of PHA5A Astrophysics, PHA5B Medical Physics, PHA5C Applied
physics, or PHA5D Turning Points in Physics.
Questions include definitions, explanations, problem solving and calculations.
20 % of the total A level marks.
Unit 6 PHA6T – Centre marked Practical Skills Assessment (9 raw marks) and
Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA – 41 marks)
10% of the total A Level marks
Grade Descriptors
A/B Boundary
AO1 Candidates characteristically
 Demonstrate knowledge of principles, concepts and facts.
 Show understanding of principles, concepts and facts.
 Select relevant information
 Organise and present information clearly using scientific terminology
AO2 Candidates characteristically
 Apply principles and concepts in familiar and new contexts
 Describe significant trends and patterns shown by data presented in
tabular or graphical form
 Explain and interpret phenomena and present arguments and evaluations
clearly
 Carry out structured calculations with few errors and demonstrate good
understanding of the underlying relationships between physical quantities
AO3 Candidates characteristically
 Devise and plan experimental and investigative activities, selecting
appropriate techniques
 Demonstrate safe and skilful practical techniques
 Make observations and measurements with appropriate precision and
record these methodically
 Interpret, explain, evaluate and communicate the results of their own and
others’ experimental and investigative activities, in appropriate contexts.
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E/U Boundary:
AO1 Candidates characteristically
 Demonstrate knowledge of some principles and facts from the AS
specification
 Show understanding of some principles and facts from the AS
specification
 Select some relevant information from the AS specification
 Present information using basic terminology
AO2 Candidates characteristically
 Apply a given principle to material presented in familiar or closely related
contexts involving only a few steps in the argument
 Describe some trends or patterns shown by data presented in tabular or
graphical form
 Provide basic explanations and interpretation of some phenomena,
presenting very limited evaluations
 Carry out some steps within calculations
AO3 Candidates characteristically
 Devise and plan some aspects of experimental and investigative activities
 Demonstrate safe practical techniques
 Make observations and measurements and record them
 Interpret, explain and communicate some aspects of the results of their
own and others’ experimental and investigative activities, in appropriate
contexts
Textbooks
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Advanced Physics for you by Keith Johnson and Simmone Hewett
published by Nelson Thornes
Accessible Physics by Francis Azzopardi and Brian Stewart
published by Cengage Learning Vocational
AQA Physics A AS by J Briethaupt Nelson Thornes
AQA Physics A A2 by J Briethaupt Nelson Thornes
EBay is a good source of inexpensive second hand text books as is Amazon.
Websites
youtube is a good place to look for the experiments we cannot do in lessons
Write in your own
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Support
If you feel that you are struggling or you need to talk/discuss anything to do
with the course, please feel free to speak to me for advice.
If you are struggling with a particular aspect of the work, the following may be
of assistance:
 Speak to your subject teacher or another member of staff
 Speak to your peers
 Use alternative books available
 Come to the maths masterclasses on Tuesdays
IMPORTANT!!
Your AS Exam Dates:
PHYA1
19 May 2015
PHYA2
4 June 2015
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