Parent Information on Curriculum covered in Year 2


In Year 2 children work on giving greater depth to their written work and learn how to write for an audience. As they gain confidence with their writing they are encouraged to take risks, such as using ambitious words and changing word order to experiment with the impact that this can have. They learn how to add adjectives and adverbs to nouns and verbs to add detail. They also learn how to place capital letters, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks in the correct places. Their work is extended through learning how to develop a plot to ensure that their stories have a beginning, middle and end, and through studying the motives of different characters. In ability groups, the children are progressively introduced to all the phonics in English and they practise these to support their reading and spellings, through quick writing/reading and games.

Each week the children are involved in a ‘Big Write’ where they practise writing skills and learn to write for a sustained period of time. Big Write lessons are carefully structured to engage the children in a fun and focused way. The lesson begins with lively introductory games and activities which focus on aspects of vocabulary, punctuation and sentence structure. Throughout the year a wide variety of stimuli (e.g. film, images, texts and role-play) are selected to inspire the pupils and provide a starting point for their writing. In Year 2, they learn about a variety of different text types, including letters, instructions, explanations, stories, poems and information texts. Big Write offers them a chance to practice writing in these genres on a regular basis.

Our class blogs provide a space to share and showcase children’s writing but also an environment for them to receive comments on their writing and other aspects of their work from a wider audience.

Handwriting is based on the Nelson scheme. The children have handwriting practice and are encouraged to use a joined script in their writing across the curriculum.


Maths is taught each day in Year 2. Concepts are practised through using practical apparatus and games. In Year 2, the children learn how to create patterns and sequences of numbers, to count on and back in steps of different sizes, to recognize odd and even numbers, to add/subtract from one and two-digit numbers, to partition and to count on and back on a 100 square. Understanding of place value is important, so the children learn how to recognize the value of numbers in two and three-digit numbers. They learn how to double numbers up to 20 and find their corresponding halves. They learn how to use < and > symbols and how to order numbers up to 100. In Year 2, the children begin to use multiplication as repeated addition and solve problems involving money or measures, using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They learn their 2x, 5x and 10x tables and begin to use the grid method for working out multiplication sums. They learn how to use division as sharing and repeated subtraction. Towards the end of the year they learn how to find half, quarter and three quarters of shapes and sets of objects as well as how to collect, organize, present and interpret data to answer questions. They also work in a practical way with measuring and comparing lengths, weights and capacities using standard units.

In Year 2, all pupils use RM EasiMaths for 15 minutes between 3 and 4 times per week as part of their Numeracy learning. This computer-based resource is an individualised and interactive tool to increase pupil’s skills and confidence.


In Science lessons Y2 are encouraged to use their knowledge of the world to ask and answer scientific questions. These questions often form the starting point for an enquiry or investigation and pupils begin to work independently to plan simple investigations. They learn to collect evidence to help them answer a question or investigate an idea. They learn more about prediction and can say what they think might happen and sometimes explain why. The idea of a fair test (introduced in FS and Y1) is developed and pupils may be able to suggest how to adapt experiments to make sure they are fair. Making and recording observations is a key focus and the pupils are taught various ways to present their results, such as, tables, drawings and block graphs. They learn to make simple comparisons, for example identifying similarities and differences between living things. In practical science they learn to work safely and cooperatively in groups. The topics covered in Year 2 include forces, ourselves, electricity, materials and the environment.


In Year 2 the pupils use ICT as a tool to support and extend their learning. The context for ICT lessons tends to be cross-curricular and the new computing skills are taught in this meaningful context. In Y2 pupils develop their skills in using programs like Word and Paint. They increase their skills with Word e.g. moving to a specific place in the text, using the arrow keys or mouse, deleting and inserting text, using the ‘undo’ command to fix a mistake and altering the layout of a text to make it easier to read. Using the software Paint, they learn to use the repeat key to duplicate images, they use simple mark-making tools, for example, brush and pen tools and flood fill. Children learn to use ICT equipment such as cameras, microphones and control devices. They are beginning to understand how the internet can be used for research and can navigate their way around familiar websites, such as Education City and parts of the BBC site. They are taught about algorithms and they learn to write sets of instructions and coding language to program objects within a game/structured task.


Children are taught in 3 levels.  These groups are differentiated according to children’s language ability and experience of the French language and culture. A reading programme, in which pupils develop oral expression and vocabulary through books, also takes place.

In Year 2, pupils meet or continue to improve their communication skills using higher levels of Hocus Lotus. More advanced groups continue to develop their language acquisition. They also continue to develop an understanding of phonics within the French language and use this to develop their reading and writing skills.


Geography and History are taught through a two year rolling programme of International Primary Curriculum (IPC) topics. The topics covered this year include:  From ‘Time Travellers’ – a topic on significant events from the past, ‘Let’s Celebrate’ all about celebrations and festivals from different cultures and different places. The approach used in IPC tasks is that of research and record. The research element is approached in a variety of ways and using a variety of source material, such as, films, books, websites, photographs and pictures. Recording tasks vary and the Year 2 pupils present their ideas in many different ways including; through artworks, writing, drawing, pictures, sorting and grouping, labelling and role-play. Meaningful cross-curricular links are made between our IPC topics and other subject areas.

Art and Design Technology

The children in Y2 explore how to use a variety of skills in art. They look at how to use colour, pattern, tone, form and space, and texture. Their art work is usually linked to the IPC or other areas of the curriculum. They learn about a wide variety of media including photography, pen and pencil, collages, watercolour, oil pastel, charcoal, modelling materials and printing. They learn to mix colours. They have opportunities to comment on their own artwork and artwork made by other people. The express preferences and perhaps suggest improvements that could be made to their finished piece. Design Technology is linked to our IPC and science topics and also to our theme weeks. Over the course of the year pupils have the opportunity to design and make things using a variety of design technology skills. Cookery is generally planned to link with theme weeks or topics and this gives pupils the opportunity to develop their food technology skills.


In Year 1 and 2, children continue learning about repeating rhythmic and melodic patterns played on tuned and un-tuned percussion. They experiment with simple call and response patterns and take turns at being the leader. These patterns will involve minims, crochets and quavers and no more than five notes. Children learn to improvise, using these basic elements.
Children start playing various simple tunes on xylophone and other tuned and un-tuned percussion, learning basic difference between crochets and minims.

Children continue singing many songs linked to their current topic or upcoming events, such as Christmas or the summer concert.


The sporting activities that have been taught during this school year in Year 2 are: football, gymnastics, rugby, dance, basketball, coordination exercises and games, hockey, athletics and handball. Each activity is developed over a half-term to experience a full range of PE activities as either individual or team sports.



PSHCE in Y2 is delivered through Circle Time and is based on the Quality Circle Time model, devised by Jenny Mosley. Our sessions cover the Golden Rules; the values of the month; they draw from aspects of the school’s P&O statement and from the International and Society tasks in our IPC units. Example topic headings would include; rules, keeping safe, I am special, kindness. Picture books are often used to support discussion in Circle Time.

Through Circle Time we aim to help pupils develop confidence and responsibility and to make the most of their abilities. Through activities such as debate and role-play they learn to develop good relationships, including celebrating similarities between people and respecting differences.

Our Circle Time sessions support the pupils in developing a healthy and safe lifestyle. The International tasks from the IPC and the personal goals support the pupils as they begin to understand what it means to be a global citizen. Where appropriate in the teaching of PSHCE, picture books are used with the pupils to explore attitudes and values. Pupils know that Circle Time is a safe time and they understand this is a time to work on the skills of; speaking, listening, looking, thinking and concentrating.