Middle School Curriculum 2024-2026

Physics

Languages The Modern Language courses are very similar in structure. Visual and aural resources enhance the main aim of communication involving any or all of the skills of listening, reading, writing and translation. The main aims of the Modern Language courses are to: • Develop an ability to use the language for purposes of practical communication • Form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for further study, work and leisure • Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries in which the language is spoken • Develop an awareness of the nature of language and language learning • Develop cross-curricular themes and initiatives Research shows that pupils who study languages improve their problem-solving skills, are better at multi-tasking and also develop their oracy and literacy in their mother tongue. The ability to speak and understand foreign languages is an asset in life and in many careers ranging frommarketing and promotions to international law and banking. Universities offer courses combining languages with subjects such as Economics, Law, Business, Engineering and Science. Ibstock is renowned for sending linguists to study at top British universities, including Bristol, Exeter, King’s College London, Oxford andWarwick.. The structure of the Latin course differs in that it does not involve listening or speaking assessments. It is a highly-respected subject and involves the study of literature in the original language.The Classical languages are regarded by many as fundamental to the study of other languages and the development of culture in theWesternWorld.

Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4PH1

How is the course assessed? The final grade is based on performance in two written examinations:

Why study Physics? ‘Why do I love Physics? If you study Physics, you will understand the physical world around you, and that is an amazing feeling. If you are curious about the world, you too will love Physics. It is not just that you will understand why rainbows happen, or how a motor works, but it is also the deep subject which underpins the principles behind Chemistry, and in turn, Biology. The really awesome thing is how a set of relatively few laws and equations can explain the almost infinite complexity of the world. If this is not enough to get you interested, it is also a subject which lends itself to engineering, a much sought-after discipline.’ Mr Kerr, Head of Physics. What does the course cover? The course covers a range of unifying patterns and themes across the subject areas: forces and motion, electricity, waves, energy, states of matter, magnetism, radioactivity, particles and astrophysics. There is a focus on practical skills and the acquisition of investigative technique, as well as the development of analytical and logic skills through the application of scientific concepts to a range of situations.

Paper 1: 61% of final mark 2 hours

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.

Paper 2: 39% of final mark 1 hour 15 minutes

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.