Primary at Richmond Park School
Year 2 - Key Stage 1 (Ages 6–7)
Growing Confidence, Curiosity, and Independence
In Year 2, children truly come into their own as confident, independent learners — eager to question, explore, and express their ideas with creativity and enthusiasm. This is a year where curiosity blossoms and learning becomes even more meaningful.
Lessons are hands-on, dynamic, and interconnected, with exciting topics such as dinosaurs and castles bringing knowledge vividly to life. Through immersive activities, real‑world experiences, and thoughtful guidance, pupils strengthen their literacy and numeracy skills while developing essential qualities such as teamwork, resilience, and self‑reflection.
By the end of Year 2, children are fully prepared for the exciting challenges of Lower Key Stage 2, ready to take their next step with confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning.
“In Year 2, children don’t just learn — they discover their strengths and learn how to use them.”
— KS1 Team
A Confident Step Forward in Learning
Year 2 is a transformative stage in Key Stage 1 — a year where children build on the strong foundations laid in Year 1 and begin to flourish as reflective, capable, and inquisitive learners. They start to make meaningful connections across subjects, think more critically, and express their ideas with growing clarity and confidence.
At Richmond Park School, Year 2 offers a carefully balanced blend of academic rigour, creativity, and real‑world learning. Lessons are engaging, purposeful, and designed to nurture both curiosity and confidence, ensuring that every child feels inspired and supported.
“Year 2 is where our children truly begin to see themselves as capable, confident learners — curious about the world and eager to explore it.”
— KS1 Team
Learning in Year 2
Following the English National Curriculum, Year 2 provides breadth, depth, and progression across all subjects. Children deepen their understanding of literacy and mathematics while developing key skills in problem‑solving, reasoning, and communication.
Our lessons encourage teamwork, creativity, and thoughtful reflection — all guided by experienced teachers and dedicated teaching assistants who understand how to bring out the best in every child.
Key aspects of Year 2 learning include:
- Developing independence and resilience
- Learning through real‑life, meaningful experiences
- Collaborative activities that build confidence and social skills
- Active, hands‑on projects that make learning exciting and memorable
Curriculum Overview: A Rich, Inspiring, and Future‑Focused Learning Journey
In Year 2, children continue to refine and elevate their reading and writing skills through a vibrant and engaging literacy programme. They explore:
- Stories about Feelings – developing emotional intelligence, empathy, and character understanding
- Recounts and Information Texts – learning to write clearly, confidently, and with purpose
- Labels, Diagrams, and Captions – linking literacy with exciting topic work such as dinosaurs and habitats
- Poetry and Vocabulary – discovering rhythm, rhyme, and expressive language
A strong focus on grammar, punctuation, and creative writing helps children become articulate, confident communicators.In Year 2, children continue to refine and elevate their reading and writing skills through a vibrant and engaging literacy programme. They explore:
Our maths curriculum builds fluency, confidence, and a genuine enjoyment of problem‑solving. Children develop secure understanding in:
- Place value to 100, counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- 2D and 3D shapes, symmetry, and measurement
- Money, time, and data handling through meaningful, real‑life contexts
Year 2 science is all about exploration, discovery, and hands‑on investigation.
Children dive into exciting topics such as:
- Healthy Me – understanding how our bodies work and what we need to stay healthy
- Living Things and Habitats – classifying animals and plants
- Materials and Changing Shape – exploring the properties of everyday materials
- Plants and Growth – becoming “young gardeners” through observation, planting, and care
Our cross‑curricular topics bring the world to life:
- Dinosaurs – exploring the prehistoric world
- Continents and Oceans – discovering global geography and map skills
- Homes in the Past and Castles connecting history with daily life and cultural heritage
Creativity flourishes as children:
- Experiment with colour, pattern, texture, and form
- Take inspiration from renowned artists
- Work with clay, chalk, collage, and mixed media
Our PSHE curriculum nurtures wellbeing, empathy, and responsibility through themes such as:
- Think Positive
- Respecting Rights
- One World
- Safety First
- Growing Up
These lessons help children develop emotional awareness, kindness, and confidence.
Curriculum Overview: A Rich, Inspiring, and Future‑Focused Learning Journey
English
In Year 2, children continue to refine and elevate their reading and writing skills through a vibrant and engaging literacy programme. They explore:
- Stories about Feelings – developing emotional intelligence, empathy, and character understanding
- Recounts and Information Texts – learning to write clearly, confidently, and with purpose
- Labels, Diagrams, and Captions – linking literacy with exciting topic work such as dinosaurs and habitats
- Poetry and Vocabulary – discovering rhythm, rhyme, and expressive language
A strong focus on grammar, punctuation, and creative writing helps children become articulate, confident communicators.
Mathematics
Our maths curriculum builds fluency, confidence, and a genuine enjoyment of problem‑solving. Children develop secure understanding in:
- Place value to 100, counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- 2D and 3D shapes, symmetry, and measurement
- Money, time, and data handling through meaningful, real‑life contexts
Science
Year 2 science is all about exploration, discovery, and hands‑on investigation. Children dive into exciting topics such as:
- Healthy Me – understanding how our bodies work and what we need to stay healthy
- Living Things and Habitats – classifying animals and plants
- Materials and Changing Shape – exploring the properties of everyday materials
- Plants and Growth – becoming “young gardeners” through observation, planting, and care
Topic (History & Geography)
Our cross‑curricular topics bring the world to life:
- Dinosaurs – exploring the prehistoric world
- Continents and Oceans – discovering global geography and map skills
- Homes in the Past and Castles – connecting history with daily life and cultural heritage
Art
Creativity flourishes as children:
- Experiment with colour, pattern, texture, and form
- Take inspiration from renowned artists
- Work with clay, chalk, collage, and mixed media
PSHE
Our PSHE curriculum nurtures wellbeing, empathy, and responsibility through themes such as:
- Think Positive
- Respecting Rights
- One World
- Safety First
- Growing Up
These lessons help children develop emotional awareness, kindness, and confidence.
Specialist Subjects: Enriching Every Child’s Experience
Children benefit from expert‑led lessons that broaden their skills and passions:
- Music – exploring rhythm, tempo, and melody through instruments and song
- Spanish – developing bilingual communication using the Letrilandia methodology
- Computing – creating media, programming, and learning essential online safety
- PE and Swimming – building coordination, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits
- Food Technology – discovering nutrition, healthy eating, and cultural diversity through hands‑on cooking
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Year 2 pupils enjoy three educational trips per year, one each term, designed to extend learning through real‑world experiences. From nature walks and science museums to historical sites and cultural visits, these outings:
- Spark curiosity
- Build confidence
- Create unforgettable memories
Home–School Partnership
Strong communication and collaboration with families are central to every child’s success. Parents stay connected through:
- Class Dojo – daily updates and classroom news
- Curriculum Letters – outlining each term’s learning focus
- Parents Booking – easy access to extracurricular sign‑ups and online meetings
- Reports – reports and essential information
Each week, children bring home:
- A reading book and spellings to reinforce key skills
- Library books to enjoy and share at home
Celebrating Success
We believe in recognising effort, progress, and positive behaviour. Success is celebrated through:
- Star of the Week certificates
- House Points for teamwork, kindness, and perseverance
- Golden Time each week for the whole class
These moments inspire pride, motivation, and a strong sense of belonging.
Our Year 2 Team
Led by our Director of Key Stage 1, our Year 2 team includes caring class teachers, native assistants, and specialist staff in Spanish, Music, PE, Computing, and Food Technology. They work closely with our ALN and Blended Learning teams to ensure every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
“We see every child as unique, full of potential, and capable of extraordinary growth when given the right support and encouragement.”
— KS1 Team
Ready for Key Stage 2
By the end of Year 2, children at Richmond Park School have built a powerful foundation in literacy, mathematics, and communication — skills that enable them to express themselves confidently and think with clarity and purpose. Alongside this academic growth, they develop the resilience, curiosity, and independence that are essential for thriving in the next stage of their learning journey.
As they step into Key Stage 2, pupils move forward as confident, motivated learners, eager to embrace new challenges, explore fresh ideas, and continue growing academically, socially, and emotionally. They are fully prepared — not just for the curriculum ahead, but for the exciting opportunities that await them.
Book a visit or contact us
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