Year 1 & Year 2
They may spend the morning dressing up and acting out the Great Fire of London or investigating a mysterious crime scene inspired by The Evil Pea, all in the name of helping their writing reach new heights of imagination and creativity. Many learning experiences in Years 1 and 2 are built around exciting themes that immerse children in their studies. Some topics last a few weeks, while others span an entire term, but each one is carefully designed to make learning memorable, meaningful and fun.
Years 1 and 2 are exciting years of growth, discovery and increasing independence. Building on the strong foundations established in Reception, children develop confidence as learners while retaining the creativity, curiosity and sense of wonder that make childhood so special.
Chinthurst finds the fun in everything
Year 2 child
Developing a Love of Reading and Writing
Reading remains at the heart of school life. Children continue their journey with the Read Write Inc. programme, learning in small groups according to their stage of development rather than their age. This personalised approach ensures every child is supported, challenged and able to make excellent progress.
Writing is taught through the highly successful Talk for Writing approach, helping children become enthusiastic authors. Engaging hooks, storytelling, drama and high-quality texts inspire children to experiment with language, broaden their vocabulary and write for a range of purposes. Every child has their own author's notebook to collect ideas, sketches and inspiration, encouraging creativity and imagination to flourish.
Making Maths Meaningful
Maths lessons are practical, interactive and designed to encourage children to think like mathematicians. Using hands-on resources, pictures and abstract methods, children develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and learn to explain their thinking with confidence.
Reasoning, problem-solving and resilience are central to every lesson. Children are encouraged to persevere, justify their answers and understand that making mistakes is an important and valuable part of learning.
Pupils are keen to learn and are engaged during lessons. They are articulate, confident communicators
ISI Inspection 2026
Specialist Teaching and Enrichment
Years 1 and 2 enjoy a rich and varied curriculum taught by passionate specialists and class teachers. Weekly lessons in languages, where children learn both French and Spanish in alternate half terms, alongside music, drama, computing, PE and games, allow children to discover new interests, develop talents and gain confidence in a wide range of disciplines.
Our weekly Discovery Afternoons inspire children to explore, create and discover through gardening, Woodland Learning, STEAM challenges, creative projects and cookery. Rich, hands-on experiences encourage children to ask questions, solve problems, make predictions and test their ideas while developing curiosity, creativity, resilience and independence. By learning through real experiences, children make meaningful connections with the world around them.
Whether singing in choir, coding animations, performing on stage, learning French and Spanish or representing their House on Sports Day, children benefit from experiences that broaden horizons, spark interests and inspire a lifelong love of learning. You can explore these subjects in more detail on our dedicated curriculum pages.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. Outdoor learning, educational visits, visiting speakers and hands-on workshops bring learning to life, spark curiosity and help children make meaningful connections across their studies. Lessons regularly spill outdoors, providing opportunities for collaboration, exploration and discovery.
Dressing up in costumes and taking on roles in Pudding Lane as the Great Fire of London unfolds allows children to step back in time and experience history first-hand. Experiences like these bring learning to life and help create lasting memories and understanding
Toni Burton - Head of Lower School
As they move through Years 1 and 2, children begin to take on greater responsibility and independence, learning to organise themselves, contribute positively to their class community and embrace new challenges with enthusiasm. They can also make their voices heard by joining the Little Voices Choir, representing their classmates on the School Council or helping to care for the environment as members of the Eco Committee.
Growing in Confidence
Children thrive when they feel secure, valued and known. Strong relationships with teachers and classmates help every child develop confidence, resilience and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone.
Years 1 and 2 are a wonderful bridge between the playfulness of Reception and the increasing independence of Upper School. By the end of Year 2, children are not only making excellent academic progress but are growing into kind, curious and confident learners, ready to embrace the opportunities and adventures that await them in Upper School.
