Welcome to Year 2

Year 2 is an exciting year as children continue to build their confidence, independence and knowledge across the curriculum.

Throughout the year, children develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills while exploring a wide range of interesting topics across science, history, geography, art, design and technology, computing, music, PE and RE.

We encourage children to become increasingly independent learners, to ask questions and to take pride in their work. Our aim is for every child to feel happy, confident and ready to take on new challenges.

This page contains useful information about Year 2, what we are learning and ways you can support your child at home.

Meet the Year 2 Team

Teachers

Mrs Holt
Mrs Hayward

Mrs Brereton

Miss Chartres

Support Staff

Miss Pierce
Mrs Buckmaster
Mrs Dudley
Miss Shearman
Mrs Hooton

Useful Information

PE

Our PE lesson takes place on Tuesday afternoon.

Children should come to school wearing their PE kit and will remain in their PE kit for the day.

Some lessons take place outside, so during colder weather children should wear suitable jogging bottoms and a school sweatshirt or fleece.

Children may also keep a spare pair of socks in their book bag in case they need to change after their lesson.

What children need each day

Please make sure your child brings:

• their book bag

• their reading book

• their reading record

• a water bottle containing water

Please keep reading books and reading records inside your child's book bag each day as there will be opportunities throughout the week for children to read with an adult.

Reading

Reading continues to be a very important part of learning in Year 2.

Children take part in regular reading activities in school, including whole-class and small-group reading. They are encouraged to talk about what they have read, make predictions, retrieve information and develop their understanding of new vocabulary.

Regular reading at home makes a significant difference to children's confidence and progress.

Please try to read regularly with your child and record this in their reading record.

Talking about the book is just as important as reading the words. You might ask your child:

• What has happened so far?

• Why do you think the character did that?

• What do you think will happen next?

• What does this word mean?

• Which part of the story did you enjoy most?

Useful reading, phonics and spelling resources can be found further down this page.

Spelling, Phonics and Handwriting

Throughout Year 2, children continue to build on the phonics knowledge developed in Reception and Year 1.

They are encouraged to use their phonics when reading unfamiliar words and when making sensible spelling choices in their writing.

Children will also learn the spelling patterns and common exception words expected within Key Stage 1.

Handwriting remains an important focus. Children will develop consistent letter formation, size and spacing and begin to develop a fluent handwriting style.

Resources to support spelling, phonics and handwriting at home can be found below.

Homework and Learning at Home

Homework is set on Friday and should be completed by Wednesday.

Homework may include:

• MyMaths activities

• reading comprehension

• spelling or vocabulary practice

• activities linked to current classroom learning

Homework information and activities will be shared through ClassDojo.

Regular reading remains one of the most valuable ways you can support your child throughout Year 2.

What We Are Learning

Autumn Term 2026

During the autumn term, children will settle into Year 2 routines and build on the skills and knowledge developed during Year 1.

English

In English, we will explore Troll Swap and The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark.

Children will develop their writing through stories, descriptions and recounts.

We will focus on choosing interesting vocabulary, joining ideas using conjunctions and using punctuation accurately.

Spelling, handwriting and phonics will continue to be important parts of our English learning.

Maths

In maths, children will develop their understanding of place value and become increasingly confident working with two-digit numbers.

We will develop our addition and subtraction strategies and begin to explore money.

Children will regularly practise number facts and counting patterns to develop fluency and confidence.

Science

In science, we will explore seasonal changes and begin learning about living things and their habitats.

Children will observe the world around them and investigate how living things depend on different habitats to survive.

History and Geography

Our topic Explorers will help us learn about significant people and events from the past.

Children will learn about explorers including Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong and begin comparing exploration across different periods of history.

We will also develop our geographical skills by using maps, globes and geographical vocabulary.

Art

In art, we will focus on exploring and drawing.

Children will develop careful observation skills and experiment with line, shape, texture and different drawing materials.

Design and Technology

In DT, children will learn about healthy food and develop practical food preparation skills.

They will prepare fruit and vegetables and use their learning to create a healthy snack.

Computing

In computing, children will explore information technology around us and develop their understanding of digital photography.

They will learn how technology is used in everyday life and begin making thoughtful choices when creating digital content.

Music

In music, children will explore pulse, rhythm and simple musical patterns.

They will listen, perform and begin creating music together.

PE

PE will include invasion games and dance.

Children will develop their movement skills, coordination, balance and ability to work as part of a team.

Religious Education

In RE, children will learn about Chosen People and The Mystery of God.

They will have opportunities to explore scripture, reflect, pray and make connections between their learning and Catholic life.

Spring Term 2027

During the spring term, children will continue developing their independence and apply their learning across an increasingly wide range of subjects.

English

In English, we will explore The Dragon Machine and Major Glad, Major Dizzy.

These texts will inspire a range of writing including imaginative stories, diary entries and poetry.

Children will continue working on sentence structure, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.

Maths

In maths, children will explore:

• multiplication

• division

• statistics

• shape

• fractions

Children will use practical resources, pictures and mathematical representations to help them understand new concepts before moving towards increasingly independent problem solving.

Science

In science, we will learn about animals, including humans and everyday uses of materials.

Children will investigate how animals grow and stay healthy and explore why different materials are chosen for different purposes.

History

Our history topic is Fire, Fire!

Children will learn about the Great Fire of London, including how the fire began, why it spread so quickly and how London changed afterwards.

They will use historical sources to find out about the past and begin considering how we know about events that happened long ago.

Geography

In geography, children will use maps and aerial photographs to investigate places and identify key human and physical features.

They will continue developing their geographical vocabulary and map-reading skills.

Art

In art, children will explore mono printing.

They will experiment with different printing techniques, pattern, shape and texture to create their own artwork.

Design and Technology

In DT, children will explore freestanding structures.

They will investigate how structures can be made stronger, more stable and more secure before designing and making their own structure.

Computing

In computing, children will begin developing their understanding of programming and data.

They will explore how sequences of instructions can control digital devices and begin organising and interpreting information.

Music

Children will continue to listen, perform and compose music.

They will explore how music can communicate different feelings, moods and ideas.

PE

Children will continue developing their skills through invasion games and gymnastics.

Religious Education

In RE, children will explore The Good News and The Mass.

They will develop their understanding of scripture, worship and the life of the Church.

Summer Term 2027

During the summer term, children will build on everything they have learnt throughout Key Stage 1 and prepare for their transition into Year 3.

English

In English, our key texts will include The Last Wolf and Grandad's Secret Giant.

Children will use these texts as inspiration for a range of writing including reports, persuasive writing and imaginative stories.

We will continue developing sentence structure, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling and handwriting while encouraging children to write with increasing independence.

Maths

In maths, children will explore:

• length and height

• position and direction

• time

• mass

• capacity

Children will continue practising key number facts and applying their mathematical understanding through reasoning and problem solving.

Science

In science, children will learn about plants and continue developing their knowledge of animals, including humans.

They will observe how plants grow, investigate what they need to survive and develop their scientific enquiry skills through practical investigations.

History

Our Day Tripper! topic will explore changes within living memory.

Children will investigate holidays in the past and learn about aspects of the history of Chester Zoo.

They will compare past and present and consider how everyday life has changed over time.

Geography

In geography, children will learn about the seas surrounding the United Kingdom.

They will continue developing their understanding of maps, locations and geographical vocabulary.

Art

In art, children will explore collage and three-dimensional artwork.

They will experiment with different materials and techniques before creating their own pieces.

Design and Technology

In DT, children will investigate sliders and levers.

They will explore how simple mechanisms work before designing, making and evaluating their own moving product.

Computing

Children will use technology creatively by exploring digital music and creating simple quizzes.

They will continue learning how to use technology safely, responsibly and confidently.

Music

In music, children will explore improvisation and perform music individually and with others.

They will consider how songs and music can communicate feelings and bring people together.

PE

PE will include striking and fielding games and athletics.

Children will develop their throwing, catching, running and teamwork skills.

Religious Education

In RE, children will learn about Eastertide and The First Christians.

They will explore what happened after the Resurrection and learn about the beginnings of the Christian Church.

Year 2 Curriculum

Would you like to find out more about what your child learns throughout Year 2?

Please use the links below to view our curriculum plans.

Year 2 Curriculum Plan

Long-Term Plan for English

• Pathways to Write – Feature Keys Progression

• Pathways to Write – Texts and Mastery Overview

PE Long-Term Plan

Supporting Your Child at Home

There are a range of resources available below to help support learning at home.

Reading, Phonics and Spelling

• Phase 3 and Phase 5 Phonics Mats

• Year 2 Common Exception Words

• How Can I Help My Child With Reading?

• Handwriting Guide

End of Year 2 Expectations

These documents provide further information about some of the skills children work towards during Year 2.

• End of Year 2 Writing Expectations

• End of Year 2 Maths Expectations

• Key Stage 1 Parent Information

Curriculum Resources

• Explorers Fact File

Keep Up With Year 2

We love sharing the children's learning and celebrating their achievements throughout the year.

Please keep an eye on ClassDojo and our school communication channels for photographs, updates and examples of the exciting learning taking place in Year 2.