SW London: Best places to study A level physics?

[priorityjuggler]

I've got a bright DC who's considering maths and physics combos at A Level. He's currently in Year 10 and hasn't had the luxury of being taught by a physics specialist yet - I know they are a rare commodity. We're starting to think about sixth forms and I'd like to identify where the best A Level physics departments are. If it's taught in a way that is consistently inspiring I would expect to see not only good results, but also lots of alumni going on to do physics and engineering degrees. We prefer co-ed to all boys. Any thoughts?

p.s. state rather than private (unless they do generous non-means-tested bursaries, which is probably unlikely)

Kings College London sounds a perfect fit. They were the top performing school nationally at A level (it's all they do) last year. If it's too far try Tiffin or one of the Sutton Grammars. Single sex and I share your preference for co-ed but life's a compomise.

www.kcl.ac.uk/mathsschool/home.aspx

Thanks, yes Kings is on our radar, but not sure whether he'll get a place - we've tried to get him on the their Y10 outreach programme without success. DS is not high on their priority measure because both parents went to uni and we don't have a low income. We"ll give it a go when the time comes though.

Good luck with KCL.

If you don't fancy the single sex grammars try looking at the A level results for religious schools in the area. I am a firm believer in the MN "juggling test" theory that religion is just another way of selection and I have had friend's DCs get incredible results in many of these schools. Alternatively somewhere like Esher College where over 200 60 sat A level maths last year will have specialist teachers.

My son is at Chelsea Academy which has a science specialism. They have great facilities and am really impressed with both the Physics and Maths teachers, all specialists.

Harris Westminster get some strong maths results.

Isn’t Tiffin now mixed in sixth form?

What about Sutton Grammar School or Wilson's - the former is very 'STEM' oriented and excels in those subjects.

Westminster has a co-ed Sixth Form and entry at 16+ so he wouldn’t be joining as an odd one out new boy. Generous scholarships some of which are performance-based and therefore not means tested.

KCL Maths School is worth shooting for. Outstanding in everything. transformed my son's education.

chumsnet Tiffin is indeed mixed in the sixth form as is Sutton Grammar School (since last year)

fyi
Tiffin Boys is mixed from Sept 2019
Tiffin Girls is staying single sex

DGS is at King's. Entrance is by exam and interview, they are looking for a particular type of learner first and foremost not what degree parents got. They may reserve some places for children from lower income families (in the way that Harris Westminster makes a point of prioritising children entitled to pupil premium I believe) but they will be the most mathstastic kids from that cohort.

DGS is loving it - the focus and rigour are more like uni than conventional sixth form. You'd need to be 100% convinced on the choice of A levels - but kids offered get taster days there from Easter onwards so a chance to take a view before they need to make a final decision