Autumn: Should I stay or should I go?
Our Enquiry
This Autumn Term, Year 2 will embark on an exciting geographical adventure as they compare and contrast the bustling city of Nottingham with the tropical charm of Iquitos, Peru. Through this enquiry, pupils will answer the big question: Should I stay or should I go?
What will our young explorers discover?
Geographical Features: Pupils will explore the physical and human features of Nottingham and Iquitos, learning how landscapes, buildings, and nature vary across the globe. Using maps, globes, and aerial photographs, they’ll identify and discuss why some features are located where they are and how they may have changed over time.
Continents and Oceans: As they locate Nottingham and Iquitos on the map, children will develop their understanding of the world’s continents and oceans, gaining a clearer picture of how these places connect globally.
Living in Different Places: In PSHE, pupils will step into the shoes of others as they imagine what it would be like to live in different parts of the world. They’ll think about the positive and challenging aspects of life in another country and discuss how people’s lives might be similar or different to their own.
Habitats and Animals: In Science, children will explore the diverse animal habitats of England and Peru, investigating how animals adapt to their environments. They’ll compare animals from both countries, learning how each species thrives in its unique habitat and why they must stay there to survive.
Hands-On Learning: Pupils will use maps, globes, and atlases to locate places and investigate their local area, considering the causes and effects of local issues. They’ll also engage in simple enquiries to understand the world around them better.
By the end of this term, pupils will be confident explorers of the world, understanding how places, habitats, and communities connect and differ, all while developing empathy and curiosity about life beyond their own experiences.
Y2 Enquiry Knowledge mat
English
A high-quality text drives each of our enquiries and the texts are used to give knowledge and purpose to the enquiry. High quality texts can only be accessed through knowledge of vocabulary in different tiers. Explicit teaching of new vocabulary and using the classroom environment to showcase key vocabulary helps us to infuse rich and sophisticated vocabulary from EYFS to Year 6. The texts are used as a stimulus for both English and cross curricular writing, ensuring high expectations of our children. Reading is interwoven into all aspects of the enquiry to encourage reading and language development and promote reading for pleasure.
Key Texts


Maths
In maths we follow the Power Maths programme to support children’s learning and to build a deep understanding of maths concepts. Power Maths is a curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement and nurture confidence in maths. It is built around a child‑centred lesson design that models and embeds a growth mindset approach to maths.
This term we are covering the following:
Place Value
- Understanding numbers up to 100.
- Counting forwards and backwards in steps of 2, 5, and 10 from any number.
- recognising the place value of each digit in a 2-digit number (tens and ones).
- Comparing and ordering numbers from 0 to 100 using symbols (<, >, =).
- Reading and writing numbers in numerals and words up to 100.
Addition and Subtraction (Within 100)
- Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers using practical resources, number lines, and mental methods.
- Understanding and using fact families to derive and recall related addition and subtraction facts.
- Solving one-step problems involving addition and subtraction, using objects, drawings, and written methods.
- Exploring the relationship between addition and subtraction using inverse operations.
Money
- recognising coins and notes, understanding their values.
- Counting coins and finding different ways to make a given amount.
- Solving simple problems involving addition and subtraction of money, including calculating change.
Multiplication and Division
- Introducing the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.
- Understanding and using arrays to represent multiplication facts for the 2, 5, and 10 times tables.
- Exploring simple division as sharing and grouping.
- Solving simple multiplication and division problems practically and visually.
Properties of Shape
- recognising and naming common 2D shapes (e.g., circles, triangles, squares, rectangles).
- Exploring 3D shapes (e.g., cubes, spheres, cones) and identifying their properties.
- Identifying and describing the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, including sides, edges, vertices, and faces.
- Sorting shapes based on their attributes.
Problem Solving and Reasoning
- Applying mathematical knowledge to solve simple problems in different contexts, such as money, counting, and shapes.
- Developing reasoning skills by explaining methods and strategies used to find solutions.
- Engaging in practical activities and discussions to build understanding and confidence in problem-solving.