In this block, children will explore the story Troll Swap by Leigh Hodgkinson, where two characters, a troll and a child, swap places to experience each other’s lives. Pupils will engage with the text to develop their writing skills, creating sentences and short narratives, using expanded noun phrases, joining ideas with "and" and "because", and applying punctuation correctly. They will innovate on the story by imagining new scenarios and dialogues, as well as complete activities such as story mapping, role-play, and character creation to deepen their understanding of narrative structure and character motivation. Through these activities, children will build confidence in writing, grammar, and storytelling while exploring themes of identity and personal preferences.

Key Vocabulary: Swap, Troll, Character, Identity, Preferences, Narrative, Dialogue, Expanded noun phrase, Subordination, Coordination

We will begin this block by revisiting key foundational maths skills such as place value, counting, and simple arithmetic. Children will explore numbers up to 100, developing confidence with tens and ones, place value charts, and number partitioning. They will also practise writing numbers in words and expanded form. Learning activities will include using number lines for counting, estimating, comparing numbers, and working on addition and subtraction within number bonds to 10. In addition, children will practise counting in sequences of 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s to strengthen their understanding of number patterns and relationships.

Key Vocabulary: Place value, ones, tens, hundreds, add, subtract, three-digit numbers

In block 1, children will explore what makes our world special. They will explore famous landmarks and landscapes, with a focus on Sri Lanka, as well as discovering other amazing places around the world and learning about the five oceans. Through activities like fieldwork, map work, and using simple charts, children will build important geography skills while learning to appreciate and look after the world around them.

Key Vocabulary: Ocean, landmark, habitat, map/sketch map, capital city, tally chart

This block, our topic is Animals including Humans. Children will learn about the basic needs of animals, including humans, to survive, such as food, water, air, and shelter. They will explore different groups of animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish), their habitats, and what they eat. Through practical activities and discussions, children will also discover how to keep themselves healthy by learning about exercise, hygiene, and looking after their teeth. This topic will help them develop an early understanding of how we care for both ourselves and the animals around us.

Key Vocabulary: Mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, insect, carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, shelter, exercise, health, hygiene, teeth

In this unit, Year 2 children will explore themselves, their roles in the classroom, and the wider community. They will learn about their feelings, develop self-awareness, and understand how their actions affect others. Pupils will set personal goals, recognise their own achievements, and think about ways to contribute positively to their classroom and school environment. Through discussions, role-play, and reflective activities, children will build a sense of responsibility, respect, and empathy, while developing strategies for making good choices and working well with others.

Key Vocabulary: Rights, responsibilities, choices, rewards, consequences, goals, cooperation, empathy, respect

In block 1, we will be introducing vocabulary as a key focus. Children will build their word knowledge through stories, class discussions, phonics, and cross-curricular subjects. Developing vocabulary at this stage is essential for supporting reading comprehension, writing skills, and speaking and listening. The curriculum will help children grow both their everyday vocabulary (linked to their daily lives) and subject-specific vocabulary in areas such as English, Maths, Science, and Geography. 

In Year 2, children will continue to develop their spelling skills using the Pathways to Spelling programme. Pupils will learn to recognise and spell common exception words, apply spelling rules for adding suffixes (such as -ing, -ed, -er, -est), and use prefixes where appropriate. They will explore patterns in words, including vowel and consonant sounds, and practise spelling strategies such as segmenting words into sounds, using phonics knowledge, and recognising visual patterns. Regular dictation and writing activities will support children in applying their spelling knowledge in context, helping them to become more confident and accurate writers.

Key Vocabulary: Common exception words, suffixes (-ing, -ed, -er, -est), prefixes, vowel sounds, consonant sounds, spelling patterns, segmenting

Home learning in Year 2 is designed to support and extend classroom learning. Each week, children can complete an activity of their choice in their writing logs, giving them the chance to practise using capital letters, full stops, expanded noun phrases, and new vocabulary in their writing. 

In Maths, a weekly activity will be set on MyMaths every Tuesday, linked to the topics taught in class.

Reading remains a key priority, and children are expected to read daily at home with an adult, talking about the story and recording comments in their reading record.

Home learning helps children practise key skills, build confidence, and develop independence. However, students are encouraged but not required to complete these tasks.

In this block, children learn to use paint in an intuitive and exploratory way. They study artists who create expressive, abstract work, experimenting with primary and secondary colours through gestural mark making. Pupils connect colour, texture, and movement while analysing brushwork from old masters. They then draw from a colourful still life, applying techniques to create expressive acrylic paintings. The block develops creativity, confidence, and appreciation of both abstract and traditional approaches.

Key Vocabulary: paint, intuitive, abstract, gesture, primary, secondary, colour, texture, movement, brushwork, still life, acrylic, creativity, expression, technique

This block introduces children to South African music through Joanna Mangona’s Hands, Feet, Heart. Pupils explore rhythm, pulse, and pitch while developing listening and appraisal skills. Singing builds accuracy, expression, and confidence, supported by instrumental work using tuned and untuned percussion. Improvisation and simple composition activities encourage creativity and teamwork. The block also highlights cultural understanding by exploring the origins and context of the song, culminating in a joyful, inclusive class performance.

Key Vocabulary: South Africa, rhythm, pulse, pitch, listening, appraisal, singing, expression, percussion, improvisation, composition, creativity, teamwork, culture, performance

This block introduces drama through simple games and exercises, building confidence and imagination. Children will learn how to use their bodies, voices, and facial expressions to communicate ideas. Teamwork, listening, and taking turns are emphasised, establishing the foundations of performance. Activities remain playful to foster creativity and enjoyment.

Outcome: Mini sharing session of favourite drama games and skills, showing confidence and teamwork.

Key Vocabulary: drama, games, confidence, imagination, body, voice, expression, communication, teamwork, listening, turn-taking, foundation, creativity, performance, sharing

This block introduces children to dances inspired by diverse cultures, exploring rhythms, styles, and movements from traditional folk to modern global influences. Pupils learn characteristic steps, group formations, and spatial patterns, developing timing, coordination, and creativity. Improvisation and adaptation tasks encourage personal expression while fostering respect for cultural diversity. Working individually and collaboratively, children build confidence and teamwork. The block culminates in a vibrant class showcase, celebrating cultural awareness and the joy of global dance.

Key Vocabulary: culture, diversity, rhythm, style, movement, folk, global, formation, pattern, timing, coordination, improvisation, adaptation, teamwork, performance

Ball Skills 

In the ball skills unit, pupils will advance their ball skills with activities that require more precision and coordination, such as dribbling, passing, and catching on the move.

Key Vocabulary: Rolling, bounce, catching, throwing, dribbling, passing, coordination 

All students will take part in a fortnightly swimming lesson designed to build both confidence and enjoyment in the water. Our programme follows a structured level system that ensures steady progression, tailored to each child’s ability. Alongside stroke development, children also learn important water safety and personal survival skills. We aim for every child to leave Junior School as a competent, confident swimmer with the skills to participate safely in a range of aquatic environments.