The
Senior Physics Challenge (SPC) is a national schools physics development programme and
university access initiative direct at ASlevel students. Higher physics demands fluency and ability in
physical and mathematical analysis that are not given prominence inschool physics syllabii. Some students are increasingly surprised and
disadvantaged by the discrepancy between their expectations of physicsadmissions and subsequent University courses, and their reality.
Students can be especially disadvantaged by theirunfamiliarity with skills and preparation universities are seeking. We
wish to demystify, and make more accessible to a wider range ofstudents, the transition to university physics in the UK. The SPC
is a residential summer school with students being accommodated overnight
as the guests of a small number of Colleges. During the day physics problem solving and Lab classes are held at the Cavendish
Laboratory,along with 3 or 4 general physics/research lectures. The intensive
tuition is designed to emphasise the development of problem-solvingand experimental skills. We thank the Colleges of the
University
of Cambridge and the
Ogden Trust for their continued support.
