Intent
The Key Stage 3 Science curriculum at Baines School is designed to create a desire in pupils to learn and understand the world around them and encourage them to ask ‘why?’.
It will give pupils knowledge about Biology including the basic structure of the body from cells up to the workings of the whole organism, Chemistry which focusses on a the study of particles their interactions transferring energy via chemical reactions and Physics where students will learn how this energy makes the world work through the interaction of forces and energy transfers, as well as the mathematical side of science.
The curriculum will build on students’ basic scientific knowledge and create an enquiring mind giving the confidence to ask searching questions about life and all aspects that feed in to it.
Pupils should understand that science is about working objectively, modifying explanations to take account of new evidence and ideas and subjecting results to peer review. Pupils should decide on the appropriate type of scientific enquiry to undertake to answer their own questions and develop a deeper understanding of factors to be considered when collecting, recording and processing data. They should evaluate their results and identify further questions arising from them.
Through this, pupils will have a solid foundation to build on in Key Stage 4 to allow them to develop, regardless of their ultimate career aspirations, into individuals who take an interest in the wider world and can access and contribute positively to the national and worldwide scientific debates which affect our everyday life both today and for the future.
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, students follow the Edexcel GCSE specification, this will continue into year 11. The qualification is linear and all exams will be sat at the end of Year 11 (May/June 2025)
In Year 11, students follow the AQA GCSE specification. The qualification is linear and all exams will be sat at the end of Year 11 (May/June 2024).
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 | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461 | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Paper 1 includes topics 1-4; Paper 2 includes topics 5-7. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Chemistry | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462 | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Paper 1 includes topics 1-5; Paper 2 includes topics 6-10. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Physics | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463 | Two 1 hour 45 minutes exams May / June of year 11. Paper 1 includes topics 1-4; Paper 2 includes topics 5-8. Foundation or Higher Tier. |
| Combined Science Trilogy (worth two GCSEs) | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464 | There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each exam is 1 hour 15 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 2023