77401-66A PHYSICS teacher at New College in Swindon is celebrating after his course was given top marks in the latest Good Schools Guide.

The guide cited the college's AS level physics course as best in the country for boys in a non-selective state school.

Pat Hinchliffe has taught physics at the college for 20 years.

He believes that new developments in the teaching of physics have given it a real boost.

"This year we have started new context-based courses in which we look at how physics works in different pieces of equipment.

"So far we have looked at CD players and computers.

"It's really good for students because they can relate to how physics works in their daily lives.

"There is another unit called Good Enough To Eat which looks at how physics works in food processing.

"We have had some excellent exam results in recent years.

"And last year over 100 students enrolled on the course.

"Nationally the number of students choosing to study physics continues to rise."

But he admits there is still some way to go in encouraging girls to take up the course.

"We do our level best to encourage as many girls at possible to do the course.

"But only about a quarter of our students are girls."

Josh Hall, 16, of Old Town, is on Mr Hinchliffe's course.

He said: "Pat makes physics really interesting and we get to do some good experiments.

"The course definitely deserves to be one of the best in the country."

Diana Milne