Intent
At Baines we believe that science is a dynamic and stimulating subject which is of extreme relevance to our everyday lives and futures. Through our science curriculum we aim to inspire students, stimulate their interests and imagination, empowering the scientists of the future.
Through science, students will:
- Build powerful knowledge that allows them to understand the important use and application of science within their everyday lives. This will be built in a logical and coherent sequence based on the previous key stage.
- Become confident at recalling scientific knowledge and the ability to apply scientific concepts by building upon prior knowledge.
- Develop a meaningful knowledge of the world across the science disciplines and linking to other subjects.
- Become confident and independent scientists through individual and collaborative group work.
- Gain knowledge and experience of the variety of career opportunities linked to the world of science.
- Develop a sense of responsibility for our planet and enthuse students to engage in a rapidly changing world.
- Develop an awe and wonder of science.
- Develop practical skills through an understanding of practical methods and processes.
- Develop numeracy and literacy skills, including developing a scientific vocabulary allowing students to articulate scientific concepts clearly.
Names of staff, roles & contact details
Mr C Cox
Subject Leader for Science
ccx@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Ms J Hutchinson
Assistant Subject Leader for Science
jhu@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs C Doherty
Headteacher & Teacher of Science
cdo@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mr M McGrath
Assistant Headteacher & Teacher of Science
mmg@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mr J Holman
Teacher of Science
jho@baines.lancs.sch.uk
jli@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Curriculum
The science curriculum at Baines builds on and develops the scientific understanding students gain across KS2. The curriculum builds increasingly more sophisticated knowledge of each of the 3 sciences – biology, chemistry and physics throughout the 5 years and the links between them. Over the course of the curriculum students will build on their knowledge and apply prior learning to new concepts.
Multiple opportunities for students to develop their disciplinary knowledge of science are built into the KS3 and KS4 curriculum. These opportunities allow students to develop their knowledge and skills and understand how science develops and grows knowledge through scientific enquiry.
Practical work is built into the science curriculum providing students opportunity to develop both their substantive and disciplinary knowledge, it also allows students to see the often unpredictable and dynamic situations in which scientists work. Before any practical takes place, the aims of the practical are shared with students allowing students to appreciate the purpose of the practical as to if it is to develop knowledge (such as a fact, concept, relationship or theory) or a skill (such as enquiring, recording, analysing).
A range of science related visits and clubs are available to students to participate in which will further develop an understanding and appreciation of science to our everyday lives and the future of the planet.
KS3
The KS3 science curriculums can be found below
KS4
All students will study science at GCSE. In year 9 students have the option of choosing to study either combined science (equivalent to two GCSE’s, or separate science (equivalent to three separate science GCSE’s)
In Year 10 and 11, students follow the Edexcel GCSE specification, the qualification is linear and all exams will be sat at the end of Year 11 (May/June 2025).
The Year 10 curriculum can be found here
The Year 11 curriculum can be found here
How and when is my child assessed?
At KS3 students are assessed in a variety of ways within each unit of work. Larger summative tests are completed in winter/spring and summer. The assessments follow the Lancashire Assessment model.
At KS4 students complete end of unit assessments, which will assess the knowledge and skills learnt in that unit of work and the units prior.
| Name of course(s) offered | Exam board | Link to spec | Nature of assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Edexcel | https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-biology-spec.pdf | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Chemistry | Edexcel | https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-chemistry-spec.pdf | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Physics | Edexcel | https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-physics-spec.pdf | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Combined Science Trilogy (worth two GCSEs) | Edexcel | https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-combinedscience-spec.pdf | There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each exam is 1 hour 10 minutes duration. All exams are at the end of year 11. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
Resources
Free Science Lessons (YouTube Channel)
Primrose Kitten (YouTube Channel)
Revision guides and other revision resources are available for purchase through the school at reduced rates. Order forms can be found on ClassCharts for all students in year 10 and 11
Last updated September 2024