Year 2

In Year 2, our curriculum is designed to inspire a sense of adventure as pupils transition from local explorers to global citizens. By investigating the lives of courageous individuals and diverse ecosystems, children develop the analytical skills and "Habits of Character" needed for the final stage of Key Stage 1.

Humanities: Explorers, Safaris, and Great Women

Our journey through time and place begins with Explorers, where children learn about the brave journeys of figures like Neil Armstrong and Tim Peake. In the spring, we travel to a new continent for our African Safari unit, comparing the human and physical geography of Kenya with our own local environment. Finally, we study Great Women in history, focusing on the significant medical legacies of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole.

Science and the Natural World

Science in Year 2 focuses on how living things interact with their environments.

• Living Things and Habitats: Pupils explore how different habitats provide for the basic needs of plants and animals.

• Animals and Humans: We investigate the basic needs of animals for survival and the importance of exercise and hygiene for humans.

• Plants and Materials: Children observe how plants grow from seeds and bulbs and continue to test the suitability of everyday materials for different uses.

Mastery in Literacy and Numeracy

In English, we use high-quality texts like Toys in Space, Meerkat Mail, and George's Marvellous Medicine to drive our writing. Pupils learn to write to inform through fact files and formal letters to figures like David Attenborough, and to entertain through character descriptions and narrative sequels.

Our Mathematics curriculum focuses on securing fluency with numbers up to 100. Key areas of study include:

• Addition and Subtraction: Fluently calculating within 20 and moving to 2-digit numbers.

• Introduction to Multiplication and Division: Developing a foundational understanding of multiplication and division structures.

• Measurement and Geometry: Exploring money, time, fractions, and the properties of 2D and 3D shapes.

Creative and Technical Arts

Creativity is often linked to our wider topics, allowing children to express their learning through various media:

• Art: Students explore natural art inspired by Andy Goldsworthy and vibrant painting techniques inspired by the Kenyan artist Gakonga.

• Design & Technology: Projects range from creating moving monsters using mechanisms to sewing textiles and preparing healthy wraps as part of a balanced diet.

• Computing: Pupils develop foundational mouse skills, learn about algorithms and debugging in Scratch, and explore data handling related to the International Space Station (ISS).

A Glimpse at the Year 2 Subject Map

By the end of Year 2, our pupils have developed a confident foundation in core subjects and a curious, respectful outlook on the wider world.

herons curriculum overview.pdf