English

At the start of the new academic year the children will spend part of the syllabus revising their learning from Y1. We will be reinforcing their knowledge of long vowel sounds, syllables and compound words. In grammar we will study antonyms, the use of singular and plural, adjectives, and when to use questions marks and commas correctly. We will spend time looking at stories and the children will be able to demonstrate their comprehension skills; they will also have the opportunity to predict and substitute story endings. We will continue to encourage independent writing through different story themes and also through poetry. In Year 1 the children have greatly enjoyed the introduction of learning to join their writing and they will continue to practise this together with their letter formation.

Mathematics

As part of our number work, children will be encouraged to order, read and write two-digit numbers. They will be using mental strategies including number bonds, doubles and halves, place value and counting on and back in steps of different sizes. Children will be working towards a secure knowledge of number facts, including fractions. They will gain an understanding of times tables and begin to focus on 2x, 5x and 10x. In shape and space, children will have opportunities to estimate, compare and measure lengths, as well as looking at time.

Science

During the autumn term, Year 2 will firstly be learning about Health and Growth. They will learn that there are different types of food, which can be healthy and unhealthy, and that these can be classified into four main food groups. The children will learn, through investigations, that exercise, as well as an adequate diet, is necessary for them to grow and stay healthy. Later in the term, the topic will be about forces. We will look at how pushes and pulls are used to make objects speed/slow down. Through investigative work, the children will think about what is expected to happen, make measurements and present them in a chart.

History

Our topic this term is the study of the Victorians. We will be making comparisons with life in the Victorian era, with particular focus on life at home and school. The children will be able to observe and comment on how their life is so very different from that of a Victorian child. The children will also have the opportunity to learn about Florence Nightingale and her role in the Crimean War. Finally we will investigate the contrast of Christmas and how we celebrate today.

Geography

In geography this term the children will focus on investigating their local area. By the end of this topic the children should be able to understand many of the features that form part of their local area and to understand the part people play in developing and changing the area. They will be able to draw simple maps using a key and to use a degree of geographical vocabulary.

Religious and Moral Education

The theme in RE during the first half of the autumn term is Homes and Families and the domestic church. The children will begin to relate and discuss how each person belongs to their own home and family, where they experience love and care. They will have the opportunity to reflect on God's love which is at the heart of every family. We will also study Judaism as a different faith focusing on worship in the mosque and the Qu'ran. In the second half of term we will be looking at the signs and symbols which we find in life and their deeper meaning. Finally we will look at Advent and the preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

French

In the autumn term, the children will consolidate and extend their learning from last year on the themes of greeting people, responding to classroom instructions, colours and animals. They will also learn the names of some shapes and parts of the body, linking to our Science and Maths.

ICT

During this term the children will be learning basic ICT skills in word processing. They will be looking at how text can be entered and corrected, and how to use basic functions to edit their work. In addition they will learn how to use ICT appropriately to communicate ideas through text. In the second half of term they will use ICT to create pictures and develop mouse control. The children will select and use different techniques in order to produce geometric drawings and self-portraits.

Music

The term will begin with the children revisiting and learning new songs and playing percussion instruments. They will learn how to control sounds in performance and work on a musical project using the stories of the Lion and the Mouse and Treasure Island. Early composition skills will be developed through "Talking Drums". New songs will be learnt for our Harvest Festival and Christmas Nativity.

Art and Design

This term the children will be encouraged to consolidate their painting and drawing skills, by creating a range of pictures and paintings for our harvest celebration. They will then have the opportunity to explore new materials and methods through our topic on "mother nature". The children will be encouraged to use natural materials as a starting point for their models, pictures and collages, whilst experimenting with ink, wax resist and printing techniques. In Design Technology, the children will find out about how vehicles and mechanisms work, before planning and building their own moving tractor. They will look closely at wheels and axles, and investigate the most efficient designs.

Drama

In drama the children will explore poetry in a number of different ways. They will work together to produce performance poems using expression and mime. They will also work in groups on choral speaking and tongue twisters. Through mime the children will have the opportunity to express themselves independently, and to improvise using role-play to portray characters.

Physical Education

Year 1 and 2 PE begins with a general introduction to the subject, exploring concepts of play, skills and having fun. A module on how the body works promotes a basic understanding of the body. We look at how the body works when physically active including the changes that occur when active and when passive. We introduce warm-up regimes and the importance of good habits. Children learn to abide by rules of games and work within their framework. They develop a basic understanding of games. They look at different sports and simple rules. The concepts of concentration and control are introduced with an emphasis on the fun factor and not the competitive edge. There is a basic development of play and co-operation as the children learn to help each other in team games and basic exercises and tests give experiences of team membership and leadership. Music and movement promotes the concept of basic body movement through controlled movements to music, looking at a variety of directions and actions that demonstrate control and concentration.

It is emphasised that the above is offered as a guide only, and the school retains the flexibility to adapt its schemes of work to the needs of the individual or the class.