The Curriculum at Baines School is designed to provide a broad, balanced and relevant education for all our pupils. The programme meets the requirements of the National Curriculum but also provides essential elements which contribute to the development of a well-educated adult.

A range of learning and teaching strategies is used at different points in the curriculum. It is related to the age of the pupils, the subject or topic being taught and the practical nature of the subject.

Through the processes of classwork and homework, pupils are encouraged to develop the skills of understanding and responding, cooperative teamwork and individual effort.

The elements that guide the curriculum are:

• a smooth and continuous learning programme from 11-18.
• a stress-free transition from primary to secondary school.
• development of a broad range of basic competences.
• development of an enquiring and motivated mind.
• development of confidence and self-esteem.
• development of setting and achieving targets.
• Citizenship through the curriculum.

KEY STAGE 3

Year 7

• On transfer from primary school, pupils are placed in a mixed ability tutor group. This grouping, if appropriate, will continue throughout Years 7 - 11.
• In Maths, pupils will be set according to ability with Science taking the same group.
• In other subjects, they will be taught as a class unit initially which gives pupils time to settle and gives us time to register strengths and weaknesses.
• Diagnostic tests will be taken early in the academic year.
• Subjects Studied: English, Mathematics, French, Science, Creative Design, History, Geography, Music, Religious Education, Physical Education, ICT, Life Skills.

After Year 7, and in order to ensure that pupils are working in teaching groups that are best suited to their ability and needs, we use a variety of forms of setting and banding. The setting arrangements are flexible in that pupils who improve may be promoted from one set to another, whilst the reverse may occur for those struggling in a particular group. In this way, we can encourage the “late developer” as well as the “high flier”.

Years 8 & 9

• Pupils are placed in sets for Mathematics and in ability groups for Science, English, Humanities and Languages.
• Subjects Studied Year 8: English, Maths, Science, Creative Design, History, Geography, Music, Religious Education, Physical Education, ICT, Modern Foreign Languages and Life Skills.
• Subjects Studied Year 9: English, Maths, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Creative Design, Music, Religious Education, Physical Education, Modern Foreign Languages and Life Skills.

KEY STAGE 4

Years 10 & 11

• The large majority of pupils take courses leading to GCSE qualification.
• Pupils take a mixture of compulsory and self-selected courses.
• All pupils take English, Mathematics and Science.
• Pupils then select from the following: History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art, Media Studies, Drama, PE, BTEC First Certificate in Sport, Business Studies, Applied Business Studies Dual Award GCSE, Leisure & Tourism Dual Award GCSE, French, German, Spanish, Technology and ICT, Seperate Sciences, BTEC First Diploma in Science, BTEC First Certificate in Science.
• In addition all pupils follow non-examination courses in Life Skills, Religious Education and Games.

As outlined in our School Improvement Planning process, we remain committed to delivering a balanced, tailored curriculum that meets the needs of individual pupils. To this end, we continue to develop our range of Vocational opportunities.

SIXTH FORM

A large proportion of Year 11 students continue into the Sixth Form where they are joined by able students from other 11-16 schools in the area. Further details are available in our Sixth Form Prospectus.