Our enquiry

This term, our Foundation 2 children will step into the past, explore the present, and uncover how things change over time. Through exciting enquiry-based learning, storytelling, and hands-on science, they will develop a deeper understanding of history, forces, and materials while building their curiosity and critical thinking skills.

Once Upon a Time: Exploring Our Own Histories

We all have a story! Children will begin by reflecting on special moments in their own lives, such as birthdays, holidays, and school visits. They will learn that time moves forward and that memories connect us to the past.

Heroes of the Past: Meet Mary Seacole & Dr. Jephson

Who were the people who made history? We’ll discover the inspiring story of Mary Seacole, a courageous nurse who helped others long ago. Closer to home, we will learn about Dr. Jephson, an important figure in our local community, and explore how his work helped people in need.

Then & Now: What’s Changed? What’s the Same?

How do we know something is old or new? By looking at objects like vehicles and uniforms used by people who help us—such as ambulances, fire engines, and old police hats—children will spot differences and learn about how things evolve over time.

They’ll also explore their own history by learning what year they were born, the year we are in now, and what it means to be older or younger. Using birthdays as an example, they will compare what has stayed the same and what has changed in recent years.

Push, Pull & Play: Exploring Forces!

How do things move? Children will investigate how objects can be pushed, pulled, twisted, stretched, bent, and squeezed using fun, hands-on activities like playdough experiments!

Power Up! Discovering Electricity

What makes things work? We’ll explore different electricity sources, such as plugs and batteries, and learn how electricity powers everyday objects.

Magic in the Kitchen: Materials That Change!

Science comes to life in the kitchen! Children will observe how materials change through baking, discovering how mixing, heating, and cooling transform ingredients. They will also explore how simple materials change when water is added—like watching sand turn into wet sand!

Listen Up! Exploring Sound & Seasons

Children will discover that sounds can be loud or quiet, learning how to recognize and describe different volumes.

They will also explore the four seasons—winter, spring, summer, and autumn—observing how the world around them changes throughout the year.

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.

Phonics

At Leamington Primary School we follow the Letters and Sounds programme for phonics in EYFS and KS1. We understand the impact of teaching good phonics enables children to become fluent readers in KS1, so they are able to continue to access learning in KS2. Please see the document below for the progression of the phonics phases in EYFS and KS1.

All phonics lessons throughout the school follow the same structure of 'revisit/review, teach, practice and apply'. Children are encouraged to use the correct vocabulary, please see the glossary below for the words that are used when teaching phonics.

In Foundation 2, children are taught phonics daily in a 20 minute whole class session. There are phonics resources and enhanced activities available for the children to access both inside the classroom and in the outdoor provision. All children in Foundation 2 will have completed Phases 2, 3 and 4 by the end of the year so they are ready to start Year 1. The links below provide appropriate resources for phonics.

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:

Number Bonds Within 5

• Introducing the part-whole model
• Understanding numbers to 10 and their composition
• Recalling number bonds up to 5

Numbers to 10

• Counting to 6, 7, and 8
• Understanding numbers to 10 and their composition
• subitising up to 5
• Recognizing the pattern of the counting system
• Counting reliably from 1 to 20 and placing numbers in order

Comparing Numbers Within 10

• Comparing groups up to 10
• Understanding numbers to 10 and their composition
• subitising up to 5
• Exploring characteristics of everyday objects

Addition to 10

• Combining two groups to find the whole
• Understanding numbers to 10 and their composition
• subitising up to 5
• Recalling number bonds up to 5 and some to 10
• Comparing quantities and recognizing greater, less than, or equal

Number Bonds to 10

• Using a ten frame
• Understanding numbers to 10 and their composition
• subitising up to 5
• Recalling number bonds up to 5 and some to 10

Shape and Space

• Spatial awareness
• Exploring characteristics of everyday objects and shapes
• Using mathematical language to describe shapes
• Identifying 3D and 2D shapes