In Years 8 & 9 pupils learn about Physics as a part of their Key Stage 3 science course. Each pupil has 6 periods of science each week, usually with one teacher. Physics topics covered in these two years include Forces, Energy, Heat and Electricity. Pupils complete their exploration of Key Stage 3 Physics in Year 10 with a specialist teacher for 2 periods each week. Topics covered include Light, Earth & Space, Sound and Alternative Sources of Energy. Throughout Key Stage 3 there is strong focus on developing practical, research and ICT skills.

In Years 11 & 12 pupils can opt to study GCSE Physics or to study Physics as a component of the GCSE Double Award Science course. Both courses follow the CCEA specifications, covering a wide range of topics, and both provide a suitable foundation for studying Physics at Advanced Level.

In Year 13 students study the CCEA AS Physics specification where the topics covered are Forces, Energy, Electricity, Waves, Photons and Medical Physics. The majority of our Physics AS students continue to study for A2 in Year 14 where the topics include Further Mechanics, Fields and Atomic & Nuclear Physics. Before embarking on an A level course in Physics students should have attained a high grade in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science and have shown a high level of competence in Mathematics.

In Down High there is a strong tradition of students progressing to study Physics, or closely related subjects, at university.