Welcome to Year 2
Growing in confidence and developing a love of learning
Our Ethos
In Year 2 we strive to be the best we can be and celebrate our successes. Year 2 is an exciting year where children continue to develop the skills and knowledge they began building in Reception and Year 1.
We encourage resilience as children persevere when faced with new challenges. Pupils work collaboratively, communicating confidently and effectively in every lesson. Developing a strong moral compass is central to our learning, helping children grow into caring members of our school and wider community.
Our Year 1 and Year 2 classes are organised as mixed-age classes. This means that children may be taught in a class with a mix of Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, or at times in a class made up of a single year group, depending on cohort organisation.
The curriculum is carefully planned over a two-year cycle to ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum. This means that all children access the same high-quality learning, with knowledge and skills building progressively over time, regardless of the class they are in.
Growing in confidence and developing a love of learning
Our Ethos
In Year 2 we strive to be the best we can be and celebrate our successes. Year 2 is an exciting year where children continue to develop the skills and knowledge they began building in Reception and Year 1.
We encourage resilience as children persevere when faced with new challenges. Pupils work collaboratively, communicating confidently and effectively in every lesson. Developing a strong moral compass is central to our learning, helping children grow into caring members of our school and wider community.
Our Year 1 and Year 2 classes are organised as mixed-age classes. This means that children may be taught in a class with a mix of Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, or at times in a class made up of a single year group, depending on cohort organisation.
The curriculum is carefully planned over a two-year cycle to ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum. This means that all children access the same high-quality learning, with knowledge and skills building progressively over time, regardless of the class they are in.
Reading and Phonics
Reading is the gateway to all learning. Strong reading skills allow children to access the wider curriculum, develop vocabulary and build a lifelong love of books.
Reading continues to be a key focus in Year 2 as children build on the strong foundations developed in Year 1.
Phonics
Phonics remains an important part of learning in Year 2. Children continue to develop their phonics knowledge through the Little Wandle programme, alongside Bridge to Spelling and daily spelling lessons that reinforce their understanding of phonics patterns and spelling rules.
Children read regularly with adults both individually and in small groups throughout the week to support their developing fluency and comprehension.
Small Group Reading
Children take part in three small group reading sessions each week using Little Wandle books. These sessions focus on:
Reading in the Classroom
Children also develop their reading skills through a range of strategies including echo reading, choral reading and paired reading. Reading sessions help pupils develop key comprehension skills such as understanding vocabulary, identifying key features of fiction and non-fiction texts, sequencing events, making inferences and predicting what might happen next.
Reading for Pleasure
Reading for pleasure is an important part of our classroom culture. With a welcoming reading area and a wide range of books available, children have many opportunities to enjoy reading throughout the day.
Children also take home a sharing book so they can listen to high-quality texts being read aloud at home. Once children have a secure understanding of Phase 5 graphemes, they may also take home chapter books suited to their reading level.
We encourage children to read at home at least four times a week and record their reading in their planner. Just ten minutes of reading a day can make a significant difference to children’s learning and helps to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Writing
In Key Stage 1 we use high-quality texts to inspire writing across a range of genres. Children develop a strong understanding of grammar and sentence construction to support their writing.
We use Mighty Writer to help children build and develop their ideas into sentences. This tactile resource provides a visual and engaging way for pupils to explore language and structure sentences before transferring them into their written work.
Through discussion, collaboration and oral rehearsal, children develop confidence in expressing their ideas and structuring their writing.
Reading is the gateway to all learning. Strong reading skills allow children to access the wider curriculum, develop vocabulary and build a lifelong love of books.
Reading continues to be a key focus in Year 2 as children build on the strong foundations developed in Year 1.
Phonics
Phonics remains an important part of learning in Year 2. Children continue to develop their phonics knowledge through the Little Wandle programme, alongside Bridge to Spelling and daily spelling lessons that reinforce their understanding of phonics patterns and spelling rules.
Children read regularly with adults both individually and in small groups throughout the week to support their developing fluency and comprehension.
Small Group Reading
Children take part in three small group reading sessions each week using Little Wandle books. These sessions focus on:
- decoding
- fluency and prosody
- comprehension
Reading in the Classroom
Children also develop their reading skills through a range of strategies including echo reading, choral reading and paired reading. Reading sessions help pupils develop key comprehension skills such as understanding vocabulary, identifying key features of fiction and non-fiction texts, sequencing events, making inferences and predicting what might happen next.
Reading for Pleasure
Reading for pleasure is an important part of our classroom culture. With a welcoming reading area and a wide range of books available, children have many opportunities to enjoy reading throughout the day.
Children also take home a sharing book so they can listen to high-quality texts being read aloud at home. Once children have a secure understanding of Phase 5 graphemes, they may also take home chapter books suited to their reading level.
We encourage children to read at home at least four times a week and record their reading in their planner. Just ten minutes of reading a day can make a significant difference to children’s learning and helps to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Writing
In Key Stage 1 we use high-quality texts to inspire writing across a range of genres. Children develop a strong understanding of grammar and sentence construction to support their writing.
We use Mighty Writer to help children build and develop their ideas into sentences. This tactile resource provides a visual and engaging way for pupils to explore language and structure sentences before transferring them into their written work.
Through discussion, collaboration and oral rehearsal, children develop confidence in expressing their ideas and structuring their writing.
Spelling
In Year 2, children continue to build on the phonics and spelling rules they have previously learned. Pupils are encouraged to apply their phonics knowledge independently and use classroom spelling resources to support accuracy in their writing.
Spellings are sent home weekly so children can practise at home. We encourage families to practise spellings within sentences and in a variety of practical ways to help children understand their meaning and context.
In Year 2, children continue to build on the phonics and spelling rules they have previously learned. Pupils are encouraged to apply their phonics knowledge independently and use classroom spelling resources to support accuracy in their writing.
Spellings are sent home weekly so children can practise at home. We encourage families to practise spellings within sentences and in a variety of practical ways to help children understand their meaning and context.
Mathematics
In Year 2, children continue their mastery journey in mathematics, consolidating and extending their understanding of number and place value.
Through practical activities, games and problem-solving challenges, children develop fluency, reasoning and confidence in mathematics.
Children learn to add and subtract two-digit numbers using different strategies and begin to develop recall of the 2, 5, 10 and 3 times tables.
To support learning at home, children can use Times Table Rockstars and DoodleMaths for short bursts of personalised practice. We encourage children to access these at least four times each week to strengthen their fluency and confidence.
Useful links
nrich.maths.org provides free rich tasks, problem‐solving, puzzles etc. for ages 3-18. Great for building mathematical thinking for all ages.
mathszone.co.uk offers a wide variety of interactive maths games & problem solving, covering tables, geometry, fractions, etc. Useful across Reception, KS1 and KS2.
ICT Games includes games linked to KS1 & KS2 curriculums; with many simpler ones for younger children too.
In Year 2, children continue their mastery journey in mathematics, consolidating and extending their understanding of number and place value.
Through practical activities, games and problem-solving challenges, children develop fluency, reasoning and confidence in mathematics.
Children learn to add and subtract two-digit numbers using different strategies and begin to develop recall of the 2, 5, 10 and 3 times tables.
To support learning at home, children can use Times Table Rockstars and DoodleMaths for short bursts of personalised practice. We encourage children to access these at least four times each week to strengthen their fluency and confidence.
Useful links
nrich.maths.org provides free rich tasks, problem‐solving, puzzles etc. for ages 3-18. Great for building mathematical thinking for all ages.
mathszone.co.uk offers a wide variety of interactive maths games & problem solving, covering tables, geometry, fractions, etc. Useful across Reception, KS1 and KS2.
ICT Games includes games linked to KS1 & KS2 curriculums; with many simpler ones for younger children too.
Year 2 Maths Curriculum Map
Wider Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to develop the whole child and nurture a wide range of talents and interests. Through engaging topics, practical learning experiences, trips and visitors, children experience a broad and balanced curriculum.
We aim to develop pupils’ cultural capital by providing meaningful experiences that broaden their understanding of the world around them.
Our curriculum is designed to develop the whole child and nurture a wide range of talents and interests. Through engaging topics, practical learning experiences, trips and visitors, children experience a broad and balanced curriculum.
We aim to develop pupils’ cultural capital by providing meaningful experiences that broaden their understanding of the world around them.
Floorbooks
We take great pride in our Floorbook work. Floorbooks help children revisit prior learning and make knowledge “sticky”.
Pupils enjoy sharing their Floorbooks with visitors and parents and are often able to recall learning from earlier in the year when looking back through them.
We take great pride in our Floorbook work. Floorbooks help children revisit prior learning and make knowledge “sticky”.
Pupils enjoy sharing their Floorbooks with visitors and parents and are often able to recall learning from earlier in the year when looking back through them.
Supporting All Learners
At Elloughton Primary School, we recognise that children develop at different rates and may require different levels of support or challenge.
Teachers carefully scaffold learning to support pupils who need additional guidance while also providing opportunities for deeper thinking and challenge for those ready to extend their learning.
Our aim is for every child to feel confident, supported and successful in their learning.
At Elloughton Primary School, we recognise that children develop at different rates and may require different levels of support or challenge.
Teachers carefully scaffold learning to support pupils who need additional guidance while also providing opportunities for deeper thinking and challenge for those ready to extend their learning.
Our aim is for every child to feel confident, supported and successful in their learning.
Curriculum News & Homework Resources:
Y1/2 Long Term Plan Cycle A 2025/26
End of Year Reading, Writing & Maths Expectations: A Parent’s Guide
Phase 2, 3, and 5 Grapheme Mat
Phase 2 and 3 Tricky Word Mat
Phase 5 Tricky Word Mat
Y1/2 Long Term Plan Cycle A 2025/26
End of Year Reading, Writing & Maths Expectations: A Parent’s Guide
Phase 2, 3, and 5 Grapheme Mat
Phase 2 and 3 Tricky Word Mat
Phase 5 Tricky Word Mat
Recommended Websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zjxhfg8
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
https://www.mangahigh.com/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/pages/library-page
https://www.j2e.com/jit5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zjxhfg8
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
https://www.mangahigh.com/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/pages/library-page
https://www.j2e.com/jit5
Working in Partnership with Parents
We value the importance of strong partnerships with families and encourage parents to support learning at home.
Parents and carers are invited to take part in special events throughout the year and to share in their children’s learning.
Information about key dates and opportunities to visit school will be shared through newsletters and communications from the school.
Online Safety
We regularly teach children the importance of staying safe online. Through lessons and discussions, pupils learn how to make safe choices and understand how to respond if something online worries them.
We also take part in Safer Internet Day each year to help children develop the knowledge, resilience and confidence needed to navigate the online world safely.
By clicking on the link below you will see more about Internet Safety at Elloughton.
We value the importance of strong partnerships with families and encourage parents to support learning at home.
Parents and carers are invited to take part in special events throughout the year and to share in their children’s learning.
Information about key dates and opportunities to visit school will be shared through newsletters and communications from the school.
Online Safety
We regularly teach children the importance of staying safe online. Through lessons and discussions, pupils learn how to make safe choices and understand how to respond if something online worries them.
We also take part in Safer Internet Day each year to help children develop the knowledge, resilience and confidence needed to navigate the online world safely.
By clicking on the link below you will see more about Internet Safety at Elloughton.
