In Year 2, children build securely on the essential knowledge and skills developed in Year 1, strengthening the foundations needed for future learning across the curriculum. Through carefully planned lessons and meaningful practical experiences, children continue to grow in confidence in speaking, listening, reading, writing and mathematics, whilst deepening their understanding of the world around them.

A strong focus remains on developing vocabulary so that children can clearly explain their thinking, discuss their ideas and make connections across different areas of learning.

Throughout the year, children will explore a wide range of engaging themes including traditional tales, animals and habitats, plants, significant individuals, continents and oceans, hot and cold places, materials, minibeasts and seasonal changes. They will also further develop their creativity through art, music, design technology and a variety of hands-on learning opportunities.

Talking to your child regularly about their learning continues to make a huge difference. Asking about new vocabulary, key topics, books they are reading or interesting facts they have discovered helps to strengthen memory, build confidence and deepen understanding. Even short conversations at home can have a powerful impact on children’s language development and progress across the curriculum.

In Year 2, children continue to build on the key skills that support all areas of learning, developing greater independence, confidence and resilience. We aim to nurture confident readers, enthusiastic writers and capable mathematicians through engaging lessons, practical experiences and ongoing encouragement.

We know that children make the strongest progress when school and home work together, and the support children receive at home continues to make a significant difference to their confidence and success in the classroom.

Reading & Phonics

Reading remains a priority at Phoenix and is central to learning across the curriculum. In Year 2, children build on their phonics knowledge while developing greater fluency, expression and deeper comprehension skills through daily reading opportunities.

At Phoenix, we continue to follow the Read Write Inc. programme to support phonics and early reading. As children progress, they move towards becoming more fluent readers who can understand, discuss and enjoy a wide range of texts.

Children should:

• Read at home at least 3–4 times each week
• Bring reading books and reading records to school every day
• Continue practising phonics sounds, Common Exception Words and spelling patterns

During Year 2, children continue to build confidence following the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1, applying their phonics skills to become more accurate and fluent readers.

Regular reading at home is essential. Listening to your child read, discussing stories, asking questions and celebrating progress all help to build confidence and foster a lifelong love of reading.

Useful websites to support reading and phonics at home:

• Oxford Owl
• Read Write Inc. Parent Support

Writing

In Year 2, children develop greater independence in writing, applying their phonics knowledge alongside spelling, grammar and punctuation skills with increasing accuracy.

Children are encouraged to:

• Write in clear sentences using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops
• Begin to use a wider range of punctuation such as question marks and exclamation marks
• Spell common words correctly and apply phonics in their writing
• Form letters neatly and develop a consistent handwriting style
• Plan, rehearse and edit their writing

We continue to celebrate children’s creativity, imagination and growing confidence as writers.

Maths

In maths, children build on their understanding of number, developing fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills through practical, engaging and hands-on learning experiences.

At Phoenix, we follow the White Rose Maths approach, supporting children to deepen their understanding step by step. Children use practical resources, pictorial representations and mathematical discussion to explain their thinking and make connections.

Throughout Year 2, children develop confidence with:

• Place value in larger numbers
• Addition and subtraction (including more complex calculations)
• Multiplication and division basics
• Shape, measure, time and money
• Mathematical vocabulary, reasoning and problem-solving

We encourage children to use maths in everyday life at home. Activities such as counting money, telling the time, measuring, spotting patterns and practising number facts all help build confidence and develop a positive attitude towards maths.

At Phoenix, we believe learning goes beyond the classroom. In Year 2, children are given opportunities to further develop their confidence, independence, resilience and curiosity through a wide range of enriching experiences both in and beyond school.

Throughout the year, children will have opportunities to:

• Take part in educational visits and welcome visitors into school
• Develop confidence through oracy, storytelling and discussion
• Learn through exploration, practical experiences and increasingly independent tasks
• Explore the Phoenix values through assemblies, class learning and everyday interactions
• Strengthen friendships while developing resilience and independence as they progress through Key Stage 1

Children also take part in:

• PE lessons and a range of physical development opportunities
• Music and creative arts activities
• Thrive sessions and wellbeing support
• OPAL play opportunities
• Special themed weeks, celebrations and enrichment days

As part of our wider curriculum, Year 2 look forward to a range of exciting visits and experiences linked to their learning throughout the year, including:

• Visits to Imagine That! Science and Discovery Museum to deepen children’s understanding of science through hands-on exploration, including materials, forces and the world around them.

• Visits to Storybarn to further develop a love of reading, storytelling and imagination
• Visits to Kensington Library to promote reading for pleasure and build independent library skills
• Outdoor learning experiences through gardening projects and allotment activities

These experiences help to bring learning to life, broaden children’s understanding of the world and create lasting memories, alongside the important knowledge and skills developed in the classroom.