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High School
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High School
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United Kingdom - written by HST'00
Science is part of the National Curriculum, and so students have to study the 3 sciences up to the age of 16, the end of compulsory education. In the two years for age 17-18, traditionally known as the '6th form', students take 3, sometimes 4, and occasionally more, A-levels (A = advanced), often within one broad area - Natural Sciences, Humanities, Classics and so on. For those hoping to go to a top University then the highest grade A is almost essential for all the subjects studied. (E is the lowest pass grade.) Since the impact of the Nuffield project in the '60's, Science teaching has become very much more experimentally based; 'stage managed heurism', and in addition the more complex ideas are approached conceptually - no calculus! Exams are set by Examination Boards at a national level, and there are several to choose from. There is an increasing tendency for exams to be modular, that is taken at various stages through the two years, with the possibility of retaking modules if the marks are poor. (Scotland has its own system more in line with the new system detailed below, but Wales is more in line with England, although it is possible to sit (some or all? I am not sure...) examinations in Welsh.)
In 2000 we begin teaching a new A-level. The content of the syllabi (now called 'specifications') is not hugely different to the old schemes, but about 50% is nationally specified content. There are now only three English exam boards, and each should produce two Physics specifications. The major change is that there will be exams at the end of the first 6th form year for an 'AS' qualification, which is then converted to the full A-level by successful completion of the Upper 6th exams. The idea is to try and keep the curriculum broad. For example some may do five subjects up to AS, but only continue three to the end. Whilst all the specifications are of necessity new, some have taken the chance of a fundamental rethink. The Institute of Physics has the 'Advancing Physics' project, and the Salters project has issued a Physics specification which is application led, following on the success of their Chemistry scheme. All have a significant practical component, and most include projects as well (both practical and library research).
The following are the URL's for the three boards - and get you to or near the Physics specifications.
EdExcel foundation. www.edexcel.org.uk/edexcel/html.nsf/pages/edexcel+publications Look for 'curriculum 2000', 'specification documents', 'A level', 'Science' and 'Physics'. This board is also looking after the Salters Physics.
OCR. www.ocr.org.uk/develop/index.htm is a much easier site to navigate; you will find two specifications here, one developed by the IOP. A CD is being published in support of the IOP course. The IOP course can also be found at post16.iop.org/advphys.(Note no www in this address.)
AQA. www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/phyA.html (or change the A for a B for the other syllabus).
© CERN and High School Teachers Programme at CERN Last modified: 28 June 2002