Physics

George Watson's College Physics Department has a proud tradition of innovation and excellence and has long formed part of the vanguard of Physics teaching in Scotland. The Department is well equipped, ensuring pupils gain hands-on experience of modern apparatus.

The Physics Department is involved in specialist science teaching in Primary 7, but, not again until S2 where pupils enjoy a very adventurous programme that incorporates not only traditional Physics but also innovative open-ended project work allowing for a measure of peer assessment. The S2 Physics course not only rounds off an everyday knowledge of the subject for those who will take it no further, but also provides the basis for further study for those continuing the subject into S3.

In S3 all pupils who opt for the subject, with the exception of one class doing Intermediate 1 Physics, follow a common GWC Physics curriculum, which then branches into S4. More able pupils do Intermediate 2 in S4 to give them a more even gradient into Higher work, whilst others entering S4 progress to Standard Grade or to complete the Intermediate 1 already started in S3.

In addition to providing for those who wish to do Higher in S5, there is an Intermediate 2 course for those wishing or requiring a slower route to Higher presentation in S6. This latter group includes those who did no Physics in S3 and S4. In S6 there are Physics courses for Advanced Higher, Higher, Intermediate 2, and Electronics unit courses.