Discovering your passion

Physics

Year 10 – 11

Physics

Key Stage: KS4

Exam Board: AQA

Qualification Gained: GCSE Physics

We aim to cultivate confident and passionate learners who can apply the big ideas of science in real-life contexts by developing strong scientific literacy and sparking curiosity.

GCSE Physics at Hammersmith Academy builds on the secure foundations developed during Key Stage 3, enabling students to deepen their understanding of energy, forces, waves, electricity, matter and the structure of the universe. Our curriculum is built on a dynamic spiral model, revisiting key concepts across the two years to strengthen long-term retention and ensure students can apply knowledge in increasingly complex scenarios.

Students learn through a rich blend of:

Retrieval practice to strengthen memory
Practical investigations to develop “working scientifically” skills
Modelling and synoptic links across topics
Assessment for learning, including targeted feedback and scaffolding
Mathematical integration, building confidence with calculations and equations essential for physics

The curriculum prioritises inclusive strategies, ensuring all learners — including those with SEND — can access challenging content through structured explanations, visuals and guided practice. Topics requiring greater mathematical maturity are deliberately scheduled for Year 11, allowing students to develop fluency before encountering higher-demand content.

By the end of the course, students have revisited every core area multiple times, applied skills in required practicals and engaged in revision programmes designed to consolidate understanding and prepare them for exam success.

Year-by-Year Curriculum

Year 10

Students build firm foundations across electricity, forces, waves and particle physics, while beginning to study space physics in the single-science pathway.

Modules:

Module 1: Electricity (Series Connection) + Forces (Moments & Momentum) (Single Science)
Module 2: Forces (Gravity) + Stars (Single Science)
Module 3: Topic information to be added here when provided
Module 4: Particle Model — Heating & Cooling
Module 5: Resultant Forces + Electromagnetic Waves (Single Science)
Module 6: Electricity Part IV — Parallel Connection + Electromagnetism (Single Science)

These modules build conceptual fluency and introduce the required practicals essential for GCSE assessment.

Year 11

Students deepen understanding through a greater emphasis on mathematical relationships, multi-step problems and synoptic reasoning.

Modules:

Module 1: Physics Paper II Review + Radioactivity + Waves (Single Science) + Pressure (Single Science)
Module 2: Topic information to be added here when provided
Module 3: Physics Paper I Review + Radioactivity (Single Science)
Module 4: Topic information to be added here when provided
Module 5: Topic information to be added here when provided
Module 6: Topic information to be added here when provided