Year Two
Class teachers : Miss Sandford & Mrs O'Farrell
Welcome to Year 2!
Year 2 is a dynamic and inspiring year, marking the final stage of Key Stage 1 and preparing children for the transition into juniors. Pupils build on their foundations and develop confidence across all areas of learning. Literacy flourishes as pupils strengthen their comprehension skills, deepen their writing abilities, and master reading common exception words fluently and automatically. In maths, pupils refine their problem-solving skills, securing their grasp of fundamental concepts to tackle more complex challenges.
Beyond core subjects, Year 2 is a time for creativity, as children explore exciting topics, experiment with design and technology, and express themselves through art. With hands-on learning and engaging activities, fostering curiosity, independence, and a love of learning, ensuring pupils are fully equipped for the exciting adventures ahead in Key Stage 2.
Please see the termly overviews to find out what your child will be learning each term.
Y2 Autumn 2 Overview
Help - Adding External Calendars
Below you will find instructions on how to add calendars from different platforms:
Google Calendar
- 1. Open Google Calendar in your browser
- 2. Click the settings gear icon next to your calendar
- 3. Select "Settings and sharing"
- 4. Scroll down to "Access permissions" section
- 5. Copy the "Public URL to this calendar" link
- 6. Paste the link in the "Calendar link" field
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=example@gmail.comOutlook Calendar
- 1. Open Outlook Calendar in your browser
- 2. Click "Share" next to your calendar
- 3. Select "Publish calendar"
- 4. Copy the "ICS" or "Web link"
- 5. Paste the link in the "Calendar link" field
https://outlook.live.com/calendar/action/view?id=exampleApple iCloud Calendar
- 1. Open iCloud Calendar in your browser
- 2. Click "Share" next to your calendar
- 3. Select "Public calendar"
- 4. Copy the "Public calendar" link
- 5. Paste the link in the "Calendar link" field
https://p123-calendars.icloud.com/published/2/exampleICS File
- 1. Find a link to an .ics file
- 2. The link must end with .ics
- 3. Paste the link in the "Calendar link" field
- 4. Example: https://example.com/calendar.ics
https://example.com/calendar.ics
The children took part in an exciting STEM challenge using Commando Joe’s equipment to design and build a shelter. Linking to their geography learning about the world’s continents, they focused particularly on the Arctic and how people protect themselves from hazardous weather conditions. Working in teams, the children showed excellent collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills as they planned, constructed, and tested their shelters. The activity encouraged creativity and resilience as they explored engineering and design ideas to make their structures strong and stable. It was a challenging yet fun experience that allowed the children to apply their learning in a practical and engaging way.
The children took part in a geography activity focused on identifying and locating the continents of the world. Working in small groups, they used maps and globes to match each continent to its correct name, showing great teamwork and enthusiasm. Once they had identified all seven continents, the children worked together to order them from largest to smallest, discussing their findings and checking their answers carefully. The activity encouraged collaboration, communication, and problem-solving as the children explored the world around them and developed their geographical knowledge and map skills.
To celebrate Hello Yellow Day, the children came to school wearing a bright splash of yellow alongside their uniform to show their support and raise awareness for mental health, in partnership with Young Minds. The classroom was full of cheerful colour and smiles, creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere. During the day, we talked about what mental health means and discussed simple, everyday ways we can look after our minds. The children shared thoughtful ideas about how to boost their mood and support one another, from drawing and playing with friends to enjoying fresh air and nature. It was a wonderful day full of kindness, colour, and conversation.
Children learned how to use a compass and identify the main compass points — north, south, east, and west. They then took their learning outdoors to complete an exciting Bear Hunt using a map and compass to navigate their way around. Working together, they followed directions carefully and showed a great understanding of how to use compass points to find each location. The activity helped them develop teamwork, map-reading skills, and confidence in using geographical tools in a fun, hands-on way.
Children carried out a hands-on science experiment to test a range of materials to find out which would be the best for making gloves. They explored materials such as tin foil, toilet paper, rubber gloves, and fibre cloth, wrapping each one around their hand before dipping it into cold water. The children carefully observed which material kept their hand the driest and which provided the most warmth. They recorded their findings and discussed their results together, using their research to decide which material would be the most suitable for making gloves.
Year 2 had a fantastic school trip to Tanglewood, where they immersed themselves in the wonders of outdoor learning. The children explored different habitats, discovering a variety of mini-beasts and searching for clues about other creatures living in the wild. Using magnifying glasses, they carefully hunted for insects and examined them up close, developing their observation skills and curiosity. They also worked together to create homes for animals such as birds, squirrels, and moles, thinking about what each creature might need to survive.
Children explored the school grounds to look for clues about different habitats and the animals that might live there. They discovered a variety of evidence, such as feathers showing that birds live nearby, a shiny snail trail suggesting snails had been crawling across the path, and a spider’s web tucked in the corner of a fence. The children enjoyed investigating these signs and thinking carefully about what habitats they could find in their school environment and which animals might call them home.
The children began learning the skills of hockey and showed great enthusiasm as they tried something new. They started by practising how to hold the hockey stick correctly, focusing on control and safety. From there, they worked on dribbling the ball, learning how to keep it close while moving, as well as changing direction to avoid obstacles. The children also developed their passing skills, working in pairs to send the ball accurately to a partner, and practised stopping the ball with control.
This week, we launched our new Daily Mile initiative, encouraging all children to get active by running, jogging, or walking each day. The aim is to promote healthy habits, improve fitness, and support mental wellbeing. Already, the children are showing great enthusiasm and determination, enjoying the chance to exercise in the fresh air with their friends. Many have noticed they can run for longer without stopping and are proud of how they are persevering each day. The Daily Mile is helping everyone to feel more energised, focused, and positive!
On their very first day in Year 2, the children settled quickly and confidently into their new routines, showing great enthusiasm for the year ahead. They adapted well to the expectations of the classroom, moving smoothly between activities and demonstrating growing independence. As part of their RSHE learning, the children explored the theme of friendship, discussing what makes a good friend and how they can show kindness and respect to one another.
24/25 Academic Year Learning
Year 2 children planted sunflower seeds as part of their science learning, discovering what plants need to grow and survive. They carefully observed and recorded their results over time, watching their sunflowers develop with excitement and curiosity.
Year 2 children enthusiastically used LEGO bricks in a STEM science challenge to design and engineer their own imaginative space rockets. Through hands-on teamwork and creative problem-solving, they explored basic engineering principles while building rockets ready for a pretend mission to space.
As part of their fantastic finish for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, the children learned key life skills by making their own jam sandwiches. They practised handling utensils safely, followed step-by-step instructions, and understood the importance of hygiene by washing hands and keeping their workspace clean. After preparing their sandwiches with great care, they enjoyed eating them together in the sunshine, celebrating their learning with a lovely picnic.
We welcomed fathers, uncles, dads, grandads, and all special grown-ups to join us for an afternoon of fun-filled activities with their loved ones! Enjoy craft sessions, exciting challenges with Commando Joe’s, and plenty of memorable moments together.
Year 2 children have been learning to tell the time using a range of practical activities and colourful teaching clocks to support their understanding. They explored o'clock, half past, quarter to, and quarter past, progressing to telling the time to the nearest five minutes through hands-on games, clock-making tasks, and partner challenges to embed their learning in a fun and engaging way.
Children had a fun and hands on experience preparing vegetables to make their own vegetable soup. Working carefully and safely, children used the bridge cut method to chop carrots tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. Once the ingredients were prepared, children mixed them and had chance to taste their delicious soup.
The children worked hard in the lead-up to Sports Day, showing determination and perseverance as they practised and prepared for their races. On the big day, they gave their best performances, proudly racing in front of a crowd of cheering parents and carers. Well done to all the children for their fantastic effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the event.
Today, children began their new text of 'The lighthouse Keeper's lunch'. We discussed our personal experiences of seaside resorts and holiday destinations. We looked at Lighthouses, what are they and where do we find them. After looking at the sculptural artist and architect Hundertwasser, we designed our own lighthouse using the Commando Joe's equipment.
The children have been celebrating the 80 year VE anniversary with a tea party of cakes and waving Union Jacks.
The children in class met the chicks that had hatched in nursery. The children handled them carefully and talked about how they are part of new life.
Year 2 pupils had an exciting, hands-on learning experience during their trip to the Botanical Gardens, where they became scientists and botanists for the day engaging in scientific investigations.
The children worked together using Commando Joe's equipment to build their own pirate ships, collaborating creatively to design and construct vessels that were as imaginative as they were sturdy, bringing their pirate adventures to life through teamwork and resourcefulness.
Year 2 children explored history by visiting timelines, making connections between past and present. Working in groups, they created their own timelines of life cycles, carefully placing each stage in order and discovering how things change over time.
Pupils have designed and built their own space buggies using recycled materials. Inspired by their research on Eduardo San Juan, pupils developed their design and engineering skills and the innovative work of real-world designers.
Pupils visited Brownhills Church, where they were fully engaged and immersed in a series of interactive activities that brought the Christmas story to life. They listened attentively as they learned about the history and traditions of Christmas, discovering its deeper meaning beyond just the festive celebrations.
Dressed as their favorite characters, the children took part in the sponsored readathon, turning pages with excitement and sharing stories about their favourite authors, inspiring each other with tales of adventure, mystery, and magic.
In maths, the children explored money by handling coins and notes, learning how to count, add, and make change. Through practical activities and role-play, they discovered how money is used in everyday life, building confidence in recognising values and making transactions.
Children took part in a drama activity where they acted out key moments from Rosa Parks’ life. They created freeze frames to show how Rosa might have felt at different stages in her life.
