This course provides learners with the opportunity to improve their practical skills, to support the delivery of required practical work in current A-Level Physics specifications (AQA OCR, Edexcel and Eduqas). The total number of 80 Guided Learning Hours (GLHs) is broken down into 30 GLHs of directed online learning, 30 GLHs of intensive laboratory-based learning and 20 GLHs of independent learning; delivered over a maximum of 16 weeks.

Learners will become confident in the use of required Apparatus and Techniques (ATs) and gain the knowledge and understanding of what is required for the planning, delivery and assessment of current A-level Physics Practical Endorsements. They will discuss ways to track individual students’ progress against each of the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) success criteria and will also be able to consider different ways of providing feedback to their students, to maximise their progress over time. Assessment and feedback during the course will be ongoing and elements will also be recognised by the AQA Unit award scheme (certification).

The course will also provide much support around careers education to help secure a first job or promotion, the content is fully intended to upskill and move participants forward in their career path.

This course is particularly suitable for:

• PGCE students who have just finished their course and are about to start their first teaching role.
• Newly Qualified Teachers (particularly Early Career Teachers who had a disrupted training year during the pandemic).
• Non-specialist teachers delivering outside their own subject area.
• Technicians who support Level 3 practical science teaching.
• Experienced teachers who want a practical skills refresher.
• Supply teachers who are keen to upskill and who may also be looking for a teaching role.

Students will complete a significant number of practical experiments, linked to the A Level Physics curriculum which allow learners to understand the scientific process and develop techniques e.g using appropriate analogue apparatus to record a range of measurements (to include length/distance, temperature, pressure, force, angles, volume) and to interpolate between scale markings and using appropriate digital instruments, including electrical multimeters, to obtain a range of measurements (to include time, current, voltage, resistance, mass).

Prior to the intensive laboratory work focus, learners will have a developed understanding of how to work safely in a laboratory setting, including how to complete risk assessments and how COSHH works. They will have access to CLEAPSS for further support with technician notes, recipes and in-depth assistance with everything associated with a laboratory setting. They will then work through the practical experiments with the guidance of the course teacher and laboratory technician, interacting with the CPAC and honing their pedagogy to maximise assessment opportunities of their own students when back in their own work setting.

Once learners have completed their course, they will have the opportunity to retain access to Catherine Witter, Curriculum and Assessment Education Lead, who can be contacted during office hours. They may also have a chance to shadow one of our course lecturers to see the A Level Physics assessment in action in one of our laboratories nationally. They will also be able to attend a session with Catherine to assist them to develop those skills required to progress in paid employment, predominantly interview techniques and CV writing.