Physics

Developing intellectual curiosity is at the heart of Physics at Badminton. Girls are encouraged to ask questions and then given the tools to answer them. 

Exciting, dynamic teaching sits alongside state-of-the-art equipment and an impressive array of co-curricular clubs and trips. From national engineering competitions like the Flying Start Challenge in Year 9 to working with liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors, there is always something to inspire. 

I feel that the opportunities I had at Badminton helped me look out for more and meant that from the beginning I had something a little bit different.

Esme, Old Badmintonian and
Aeronautical Engineering pupil, Imperial College, London

Alongside the Flying Start Challenge in Year 9, pupils also get the opportunity to compete in the Junior Physics Challenge competition in Year 10, and the Intermediate Physics Challenge in Year 11. Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates are up for grabs in this national competition which really tests the student's aptitude for problem solving and lateral thinking. 

In the Sixth Form, students have the chance to take part in the British Physics Olympiad – and internationally recognised and respected exam-style competition with multiple rounds. 

The Physics Department have previously run trips to Airbus, Hinkley Point nuclear power station, City of Bristol College Dept. Of Advanced Engineering, Diamond Light Source, and many more! 

Those studying the sciences at Badminton are eligible for the Boynton Science Award. Generously funded by the parent of a former pupil, this award offers an amount towards study materials for a girl who has distinguished herself in her wider engagement with science activities and/or her contribution to science education beyond the curriculum. 

IGCSE

In Year 9 girls work for a term on forces, energy, waves and static electricity, and then begin the Edexcel IGCSE Physics course, which continues through Years 10 and 11. This provides a thorough grounding in key subject areas such as motion and states of matter, as well as looking at new topics such as electromagnetism and radioactivity. There is no coursework, but practical work is important. The content-rich nature of the course makes it excellent preparation for going on to study A Level Physics and provides lots of extension opportunities. 

A Level 

At A Level, we follow the OCR Physics A curriculum. This is a linear course with no examinations until the end of the two years, giving lots of opportunities to explore areas of individual interest. Mechanics and electricity are revisited at much greater depth, whilst new areas of study such as quantum physics and medical physics are explored.  

Physics A Level allows girls to develop the ability to think logically and analytically whilst also becoming highly numerate and honing their ability to explain complex ideas clearly and succinctly.