PROUD PANDAS (Year 2)
At the start of every academic year, each class meets their new teacher and as a team, they decide on what their class name is going to be for that year. We feel that giving the children collective ownership over their class name helps to foster a strong sense of belonging and pride in their team. This year, our Year 2 class are the...
Throughout Year 2, children follow a rich and varied curriculum that builds skills, knowledge and confidence across subjects. In Autumn 1, the year begins with Brilliant Barlborough, where pupils explore how schools have changed over time and learn about living things and habitats in science. They enjoy class stories such as Zog and dive into Julia Donaldson‑inspired writing, instructions, and craft activities. Maths covers place value, addition, subtraction and shape, while PSHE introduces drug education. Computing focuses on programming a sprite, and children enjoy Afropop‑themed music. This term also includes a heritage talk and a synagogue trip.
In Autumn 2, the theme shifts to London Adventure. Children learn about materials in science and explore whether they would prefer to live in a hot or cold place in geography. Their reading includes Prince Cinders and The Polar Express, and in writing they produce lists, descriptions, instructions, and stories linked to The Tin Forest. Maths continues with addition, subtraction and money. PSHE moves to “Being Me,” and in computing they become zoologists, collecting and organising data from a bug hunt. Festive music and Christmas crafts feature strongly, alongside a church trip and Christmas nativity.
The spring brings big events and exciting themes. In Spring 1, Fire Fire! immerses children in the Great Fire of London. They study animals including humans in science, explore early aviation in history, and read a range of Great Fire texts. Their writing focuses on poetry and diary entries such as those inspired by Samuel Pepys. Maths introduces multiplication, division, length and height, while PSHE looks at changes. They also learn key photography skills in computing and create dramatic mixed‑media fire collages in art. A visit from a fire engine brings learning to life.
In Spring 2, children embark on African Adventures. Science continues with animal studies, and geography celebrates the wonders of our world. Reading includes texts about wildlife, while their writing centres on reports linked to author Nicola Davies. Maths continues with multiplication and division, and introduces mass, capacity and temperature. PSHE explores growing up, and computing teaches safe and effective research skills. Art moves into bold, colourful painting inspired by Daniel Jean‑Baptiste. A visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park enriches the term.
The summer terms bring creativity and community themes. In Summer 1, Nurturing Nurses helps children learn about plants in science and explore what a monarch is in history. Their reading includes Vlad and the Florence Nightingale Adventure and The Twits, while writing tasks focus on The Bear and the Piano. Maths introduces fractions and time, and PSHE covers money matters. Computing becomes hands‑on with stop‑motion animation, and there is a focus on knife skills in DT to safely prepare fruit. Parents who work in healthcare are invited to share their experiences.
Finally, Summer 2 celebrates Roots and Routes, with continued plant study and geography that explores life on the coast. Children enjoy stories such as Bog Baby and Leon and the Place Between, and they write narratives inspired by The Sand Horse. Maths covers fractions, position, direction and statistics, and PSHE focuses on staying safe. Computing introduces game testing in Scratch, and art involves creating 3D nature sculptures. The term includes trips to view sculptures and share artwork with families.
