Year 2

Welcome to Year 2 at Shirehampton Primary School.

During Year 2, children build upon the strong foundations developed in Year 1 and become increasingly confident and independent learners.

Children continue to develop their fluency and understanding in reading, writing and mathematics while enjoying a broad and engaging curriculum across all National Curriculum subjects.

Our Year 2 classes are New York and Toronto.

Meet the Year 2 Team

New York Class
Mrs Becky Sullivan (Monday- Thursday)  Mrs Samantha Palmer (Fridays)

Toronto Class
Mrs Rachel Harris

Miss Jessica Hannan supports across both Y2 classes.

Our Year 2 team works together to provide a supportive and engaging learning environment where children are encouraged to develop their confidence, independence and love of learning.

Learning in Year 2

Children in Year 2 follow the National Curriculum and continue to build upon the knowledge and skills developed throughout Key Stage 1.

Reading, writing and mathematics remain central to children's learning, alongside Science, History, Geography, Art and Design, Design and Technology, Computing, Music, PE, Religious Education and PSHE.

Learning is carefully planned to build upon what children already know and help them develop increasingly secure knowledge and understanding.

Children are encouraged to ask questions, explain their thinking, make connections between their learning and become increasingly independent.

→ Explore our Curriculum

 Reading

Reading remains a key priority throughout Year 2.

Children continue to develop their accuracy, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension through regular reading and discussion of a wide range of texts.

Where children are still developing their decoding skills, they continue to receive systematic phonics teaching through Unlocking Letters and Sounds and practise reading using appropriately matched books.

As children become increasingly fluent readers, they are encouraged to think more deeply about what they read, discuss new vocabulary, retrieve information and explain their ideas about a text.

We encourage children to read regularly at home and to enjoy sharing and discussing books with an adult.

→ Find out more about Phonics & Reading

Year 2 Phonics Screening Check

Children who did not meet the expected standard in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check will continue to receive targeted phonics teaching and support throughout Year 2.

These children will take the Phonics Screening Check again during the summer term of Year 2. The check allows us to see how securely children can use their phonics knowledge to decode words.

Children are supported through their usual phonics teaching and reading practice, and there is no need for families to prepare children specifically for the check.

We will continue to keep parents and carers informed about their child’s progress in phonics and the support they are receiving.

 What We Are Learning

Our Year 2 curriculum builds progressively on children's previous learning and provides opportunities for them to develop their knowledge and skills across a broad range of subjects.

You can find an overview of the learning planned for Year 2 below.

📄 Year 2 Curriculum Overview 2026–27

 Home Learning

Home learning in Year 2 focuses on reinforcing important skills and developing positive learning habits.

Children are encouraged to read regularly at home and may also be asked to practise key skills such as number facts, spellings or phonics where appropriate.

From time to time, additional activities may be provided to consolidate or extend learning taking place in school.

We aim for home learning to be manageable and purposeful, with short and regular opportunities to practise key skills.

How You Can Help at Home

There are lots of simple ways you can support your child's learning in Year 2.

You can help by:

• Reading together regularly and talking about what you have read

• Encouraging your child to read independently

• Discussing unfamiliar words and their meanings

• Practising number facts and simple calculations

• Practising spellings or phonics where appropriate

• Encouraging your child to tell the time and use money in everyday situations

• Talking about what your child has been learning at school

• Encouraging independence with belongings, routines and organisation

Everyday experiences such as cooking, shopping, playing games, visiting new places and sharing books provide valuable opportunities for children to practise their skills and develop their knowledge.

 Useful Information

PE Days

[Add current Year 2 PE days]

Reading books changed

on [day]

What Children Need

Please ensure that all clothing, water bottles and other belongings are clearly named.

Children should bring a named water bottle to school each day.

Communication

Important year-group information and reminders will be shared with families through Arbor.

If you have a question about your child's learning or wellbeing, please speak to their class teacher. For non urgent matters you can email your child's class teacher. These email addresses are checked weekly during term time.

Mrs Sullivan: newyork@shirehampton-jun.bristol.sch.uk

Miss Harris: toronto@shirehampton-jun.bristol.sch.uk

For urgent matters or information relating to absence, please contact the school office.