This page gives you an insight into life in Year 2, including information about our curriculum, exciting trips and visits and important updates throughout the year.
Year 2 is a rich, exciting and memorable year of learning, where children build on their growing independence and curiosity through a wide range of engaging experiences across the curriculum. We aim to inspire a love of learning by providing opportunities for children to explore, investigate, create and discover both inside and outside of the classroom.
Our curriculum comprises of a wide range of subjects including Science, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music, PE, Religious Education and Computing.
They will learn about plants and what they need to grow, explore animals and their habitats and discover how living things change through lifecycles. Through observing, questioning and investigating, children develop important scientific skills while nurturing their natural curiosity about the world around them.
They learn about the seven continents and five oceans of the world and develop their understanding of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. Children compare their local area with a contrasting location in a non-European country, helping them appreciate similarities and differences between communities around the world. Through exciting fieldwork activities, pupils collect data, make observations and develop valuable geographical enquiry skills.
Pupils learn about significant monarchs through our Kings and Queens unit and discover the fascinating world of castles and medieval life. They also explore the dramatic events of the Great Fire of London, learning how this historic event changed the city forever. Through stories, artefacts, role play and historical enquiry children develop a sense of the past and an understanding of how it has shaped the world we live in today.
Children develop sewing skills as they design and make a pouch for an explorer, learning how to join materials safely and effectively. They also become young engineers by designing and building model vehicles capable of carrying an object. These projects encourage children to plan, create, evaluate and improve their designs while developing resilience and confidence.
Through discussion, reflection and enquiry, they develop respect and understanding for people from different backgrounds while considering important questions about belonging, faith and community. Visits and first-hand experiences help bring this learning to life and broaden children’s understanding of the diverse world around them.
Through engaging lessons and discussions, children explore themes such as kindness, friendships, relationships, wellbeing, responsibility and making positive choices. These lessons support pupils in becoming confident, respectful and caring members of their community.
Through activities such as gymnastics and cricket, children improve their coordination, balance, agility and resilience while learning the importance of healthy, active lifestyles. Team games and challenges encourage cooperation, sportsmanship and determination.
In Year 2, learning extends far beyond the classroom. We believe the most memorable learning happens when children can see, explore and experience it for themselves. Throughout the year, we provide a range of exciting educational visits and enrichment opportunities that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding and create lasting memories.
Further information about class experiences is provided in advance of any trips.
Our Year 2 adventure begins with a visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Children will see a wide variety of animals from around the world and learn about their habitats, diets and environments. This exciting trip brings science to life and helps children appreciate the natural world through first-hand experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
A highlight of Year 2 is our Christmas Nativity. Through singing, acting and storytelling, children build confidence and work together to perform the Christmas story. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents, develop teamwork and create special memories with family and friends.
History and English come to life with our immersive visit to Warwick Castle. Children explore the castle towers, battlements and magnificent halls, learn about life in medieval times and use their experiences to inspire their writing. Back at school, our Castles and Knights Day gives children the chance to take part in historical role-play, practical activities and exciting challenges that deepen their understanding of medieval life.
Regular visits to our orchard give children opportunities to learn outdoors throughout the year. They explore habitats, observe seasonal changes and discover the plants and animals that live in our local environment while developing their scientific enquiry skills.
As part of their Religious Education learning, Year 2 children visit a local mosque. This enriching visit helps children learn about the diverse world we live in with different beliefs, traditions and communities, encouraging respect and understanding.
In Year 2, children who did not meet the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening assessment will retake the assessment. We prepare children carefully throughout the year and the assessment is carried out by their class teacher in a familiar classroom environment which helps children feel relaxed and confident.
We are proud to have a well-stocked school library, offering a wide range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Children are encouraged to explore different authors, genres, and topics to develop a love of reading for pleasure.
How parents can support at home:
Regular reading at home, even for a short time each day, makes a significant difference in helping children become confident, fluent, and thoughtful readers.
If you have any questions about reading or how best to support your child, please contact your child’s class teacher.
At Sycamore Academy, we are committed to developing confident, enthusiastic, and capable readers. We teach children to read through a structured approach that includes the explicit teaching of phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills.
To become skilled, independent readers, children need regular practice beyond the classroom. Reading at home plays a vital role in this. The more children read, the more they are exposed to new words, ideas, and language structures. This repeated exposure is key to developing a rich and varied vocabulary, which in turn strengthens both overall reading, writing and overall academic success.
Once children have completed the phonics programme, we use Accelerated Reader to support and monitor children’s reading development. Once children are ready, they choose books within their recommended range and are expected to read independently at least four times per week. After finishing a book, they complete a short online quiz which assesses their understanding of the text.
These quizzes help to:
Teachers use this information to guide children’s book choices and provide additional support or challenge where needed.
Please ensure pupils are in full uniform every day:
School PE kit must be worn all day on PE days:
If you have any concerns about PE kit please let us know.
