ABOUT US

We firmly believe that James Baines would have approved of his school today. In 1717, the school was founded under his Will, to provide care and learning for the young people in the township of Poulton-le-Fylde.

Today, as a Voluntary Aided (non-denominational), non-selective comprehensive school, Baines continues to provide that pedigree of education for all of our pupils from induction in Year 7 through to the young adults of Years 12 and 13.

• To invest in and develop young people
• To provide quality education
• To be responsive to the learning, social and emotional needs of the individual
• To develop lively, enquiring minds and encourage questioning, debate and rational argument
• To provide productive academic, vocational and work- related experiences for everyone
• To offer preparation for adult life and lifelong learning
• To work constructively in partnership with our pupils, parents and wider community
• To foster an understanding of citizenship, community, race, religion and moral values
• To provide the broadest range of experiences within the curriculum and beyond
• To understand and embrace change and challenge

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.

A wide range of opportunities exists for Baines students to become involved in cultural school visits. In recent years, these have included visits to Belgium, Poland, France, Germany, Japan, India and Nepal. Field visits to the Lake District and the local area, along with theatre and art gallery visits, further enhance cultural opportunities a little closer to home.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has allowed students, for a number of years, to achieve recognition outside of the classroom environment. Students in Year 12 currently are able to work towards the Silver Award with links in the local community to access the Gold Award.

As a school, we are very active in the music world with an Orchestra, Swing Band, Carnival Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, School Choir, Sixth Form Band, a variety of Pop Groups and a Mixed Choir. A music competition is now firmly established and the school has staged a number of successful productions in recent years, involving pupils from throughout the school. The groups are frequently performing in concerts in school and within the Fylde Coast Community. The school also provides peripatetic instrumental lessons for students from Years 7 to13.