Welcome to Year 2
We are so pleased to welcome you to our Year 2 team! This year we will have lots of fun and learn plenty along the way! If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask any of the adults in our year group.
What are we learning this term:
Welcome to Year 2! This term, our exciting learning journey begins as we explore our topic, ‘Who’s the King of the Castle?’ Through fascinating stories, history lessons and our visit to Warwick Castle, the children will discover all about kings, queens and castles. In Maths, we will build confidence with place value, addition and subtraction, while in English we will enjoy sharing and responding to engaging texts such as Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. We will also investigate everyday materials in Science, which includes an exciting visit to our school from Veolia Recycling. In Geography, we will learn about hot and cold countries, and develop our creativity through Art, Music and Design & Technology. We are looking forward to a busy and enjoyable term filled with memorable experiences, new knowledge and lots of opportunities for the children to shine.
Please see our overview of the term here: AUTUMN TERM OVERVIEW 2026
- Year 2 reading list
- Knowledge organisers
- Additional information
Key Information:
PE
Our PE days are Mondays and Tuesdays – please ensure children have kit for all weather eventualities!
Forest school
In Year 2, children will take part in a dedicated Forest School sessions each term. Throughout the year, we will be exploring these topics:
Autumn 1: Exploring Our Environment
Autumn 2: Materials and Structures
Spring 1: Survival & Problem Solving
Spring 2: Plants & Growth
Summer 1: Navigation & Mapping
Summer 2: Outdoor Skills & Bushcraft Basics
Parent reading
Our weekly Reading Parent Reading Morning is every Friday. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time reading with your child, share a love of books and listen to your child read. We look forward to welcoming you into the classroom to share valuable reading experiences together.
Spellings
In Key Stage 1, the focus is on developing accuracy as well as a range of strategies for spelling including phonics. Although teachers will highlight spelling errors to children, it is important children recognise for themselves when they have made an error. By this stage, children will have a range of spelling strategies that they will have been taught to draw on. Children will use the strategy which best suits their learning style and works best for them. Parents can support children by practising any spellings as part of home learning and by helping children to read and spell the Year 2 word lists. Children will practise these spellings throughout the week and will be tested on a Friday using some of the words from the lists. Remember to make practising the words enjoyable and not a chore. You can share anything you do via SEESAW.
Please click on the ways you can help your child with spellings at home: YEAR 2 SPELLING LIST – YEARLY OVERVIEW
Important Dates:
SEPTEMBER:
OCTOBER:
Tuesday 6th – Warwick Castle
NOVEMBER:
Wednesday 4th – Veolia Visitor Session
Friday 20th – Year 2 Parent Assembly
DECEMBER:
How can I help my child with their learning at home?
The most valuable thing you can do is spend a few minutes each day talking, reading and practising key skills with your child. Regular reading, spelling practice and quick maths fact recall all make a huge difference to children’s confidence and progress. Encouraging independence, celebrating effort and showing an interest in what they have been learning at school will help your child to thrive.
Recommended websites:
Reading:
Reading regularly at home is one of the most effective ways to support your child’s learning: 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference. Encourage your child to read aloud to develop fluency and confidence, but it is also important to continue reading to them so they can enjoy books that are more challenging than those they can read independently.
Talk about the story together by discussing characters, events and new vocabulary. Ask questions such as What has happened so far?, How is the character feeling? and What do you think might happen next? If your child comes across an unfamiliar word, encourage them to use their phonics knowledge and the meaning of the sentence to help work it out. Most importantly, make reading an enjoyable and positive experience so that your child develops a lifelong love of books.
Some simple ways to help at home:
- Listen to your child read little and often.
- Read stories together and discuss them.
- Encourage your child to sound out unfamiliar words.
- Talk about the meaning of new vocabulary.
- Visit the local library and let your child choose books that interest them.
- Celebrate effort and progress to build confidence.
Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School Reading at Home Expectation:
We ask that children read at home 5 times each week.
Spellings:
Developing strong spelling skills helps children to become confident readers and writers. Parents can support their child by practising any spelling patterns, word lists or spelling investigations that are sent home as part of home learning. Encourage your child to look for these spelling patterns in books, signs and everyday writing and talk about how words are similar or different. Regular, short practice sessions are often more effective than longer sessions.
Most importantly, try to make spelling practice enjoyable and positive rather than a chore. Playing word games, using magnetic letters, writing words in different ways or spotting spelling patterns during reading can all help children to develop confidence with spelling. Praise effort and perseverance, as learning to spell takes time and practice.
Some simple ways to help at home:
- Practise weekly spellings little and often.
- Encourage your child to explain the spelling pattern they have learned.
- Spot spelling patterns in books and environmental print.
- Play simple word and spelling games together.
- Help your child use their spelling knowledge when reading and writing.
- Celebrate effort and progress to build confidence.
Maths:
Maths is all around us, and some of the best mathematical learning happens through everyday experiences. There is no expectation for children to complete extra maths work at home, but talking about numbers and involving your child in real-life maths can help to build their confidence and understanding. Encourage your child to spot numbers in the environment, count objects, compare amounts, tell the time and talk about money when shopping. Playing board games, card games and simple number games can also help to develop important mathematical skills. Most importantly, help your child to see maths as something useful, enjoyable and part of everyday life.
Some simple ways to help at home:
- Practise counting forwards and backwards.
- Talk about number bonds and simple addition and subtraction facts.
- Involve your child in cooking by measuring and weighing ingredients.
- Look for numbers when out and about, such as house numbers, prices and bus numbers.
- Encourage your child to tell the time and discuss daily routines.
- Play board games and card games that involve counting and number recognition.
- Talk positively about maths and praise effort and perseverance.