Year Group 2
What to expect in Year 2
Year 2 at Oaklands: Growing in Confidence, nurturing creativity
Welcome to Year 2!
This is a big and exciting year for our children. As the oldest pupils in the Infant department, they are growing in confidence and independence—ready to take the next step into the Junior building. Year 2 is all about building on the strong foundations of Key Stage 1 while preparing for the transition to Key Stage 2 with curiosity, creativity, and joy.
A Rich and Balanced Curriculum
Each day in Year 2 is filled with opportunities to explore, question, and grow. Children enjoy a familiar routine with daily sessions in Phonics, Guided Reading, English, and Mathematics, but the learning becomes even more focused and engaging. We build on their Year 1 knowledge and introduce new concepts in exciting and meaningful ways.
Our afternoons are bursting with variety! Children take part in a broad and balanced curriculum including Science, PE, Geography, History, Art, Design & Technology, Computing, PSHE, RE, Music, and Spanish. We take a thematic approach to learning, linking subjects together to help children make connections and deepen their understanding.
We also celebrate special events throughout the year—such as World Book Day, Black History Month, and Mental Health Awareness Week—which help children understand the world around them, celebrate diversity, and support their social and emotional development.
We expect all children to be reading for at least 20 minutes a day, and to log their reading using Boom Reader. If children need books, they are warmly encouraged to borrow from their classroom book corners or the school library, both of which are stocked with a wide range of engaging and diverse texts.
In maths, children develop their understanding of place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, time, money, and more. We use practical resources, real-life contexts, and problem-solving activities to help children build fluency and confidence. Platforms like Times Tables Rock Stars support children in developing their multiplication and division skills in a fun and interactive way.
Cultural Capital
We enrich learning with memorable experiences such as Victorian Day, a visit to Biggin Hill Airport, and a summer trip to High Elms. These trips bring learning to life and help children connect with the world around them.
Monster Phonics
You can learn more about Monster Phonics here;
Monster Phonics: https://monsterphonics.com
We expect all children to read for at least 20 minutes a day, logging their reading using Boom Reader. If children need books, they are warmly encouraged to borrow from their classroom book corners or the school library, both filled with engaging and diverse texts.
Please click the picture below for the Monster Phonics Rationale
Reading Recommendations
Please click on the picture below to review the reading recommendations
Homework – Year 2
Homework
Each half term, we send home a Jigsaw grid featuring 10 exciting activities across different curriculum areas. Children can choose the ones that interest them most, match their current learning, or spark their imagination. Whether it’s building a model, writing a story, creating a piece of art, or researching a topic, we love seeing what they produce!
We expect all children to be reading for at least 20 minutes a day, and to log their reading using Boom Reader. If children need books, they are warmly encouraged to borrow from their classroom book corners or the school library, both of which are filled with exciting and diverse titles.
Working Together with Families
We value strong partnerships with parents. Throughout the year, families are invited to workshops, open classrooms, and parents’ evenings to stay connected with their child’s learning journey. We’re always here to help so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher.
By the end of Year 2, children leave the Infant department as confident, curious learners ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of Key Stage 2 with pride and excitement.
