Getting Ready for the Next Step

Year 2 is an important year in your child’s learning journey. It’s a time to grow in confidence, build independence, and get ready for the move to junior school.

At Bawnmore, we help every child feel proud of their progress and excited about what comes next.

Our Approach

Children learn best when they are:

• Happy and confident

• Interested in what they’re learning

• Encouraged to try new things and keep going when it’s tricky

• Able to talk about their ideas and ask questions

• Supported by kind adults with high expectations, who know them well

Our curriculum is fun, exciting, and challenging. We help children become curious, confident learners who are proud of what they can do.

Our “golden thread” is simple: when children feel good about themselves and enjoy learning, they do their best.

What We Learn in Year 2

In Year 2, children learn through the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, which includes:

• English – reading, writing stories and facts, spelling, grammar and handwriting

• Maths – number facts, solving problems, measuring and shape

• Science – exploring plants, animals, materials and seasonal change

• History and Geography – learning about the past and the world around us

• Art and DT – being creative and making useful things

• Computing – using technology and staying safe online

• Music – singing, composing and listening to music

• PE – developing skills, teamwork and keeping active

• RE – asking and exploring big questions

• PSHE – learning about feelings, friendships, and staying safe

We also teach daily number fluency through the Mastering Number programme, and children complete our popular Rainbow Challenges every week. These help them practise skills and become more independent.

What Learning Looks Like

In Year 2, learning is exciting, active and a bit more grown-up!

Children still enjoy practical activities, outdoor learning, and imaginative play. But they also begin to:

• Work more independently

• Tackle longer tasks

• Take part in whole-class lessons

• Reflect on their learning and improve it

Each topic begins with a big question—like “Why does England have so many castles?”—which helps children connect their learning across different subjects. WOW days, school trips, visitors and performances make learning memorable and meaningful.

Supporting the Whole Child

At Bawnmore, we care about the whole child—not just their reading, writing and maths, but also their:

• Confidence and independence

• Friendships and social skills

• Resilience and readiness for challenge

• Creativity and curiosity

We support children to take pride in their work, try their best, and enjoy learning.

By the end of Year 2, our pupils are confident learners who are ready to move on to junior school—proud of how far they’ve come and excited for what’s next.