Enquiry

This term, our Year 2 children will travel back in time to the 1600s, exploring the devastating impact of the Plague and the Great Fire of London. Through enquiry-based learning, historical artefacts, and hands-on activities, they will uncover how life was different for the rich and poor, how Dr. Jephson helped those in need, and how the introduction of the NHS changed healthcare forever. Alongside this, they will develop an understanding of how to stay healthy, safe, and strong!

The Plague: How Did It Start & What Was the Impact?

What was the Plague, and how did it affect people’s lives? Children will learn how the disease spread, how people tried to protect themselves, and the devastating impact it had on rich and poor communities. They will compare life in the 1600s to today, thinking about how medicine, hygiene, and healthcare have changed.

The Great Fire of London: A City in Flames!

How did the Great Fire of London start, and what happened to the people who lived there? Through role play, artefact investigations, and storytelling, children will explore how the fire affected different groups of people, why it spread so quickly, and how London was rebuilt after the disaster.

Rich vs. Poor: Life in the 1600s

Was life the same for everyone in the past? Children will explore how the wealthy and poor lived in the 1600s, comparing their homes, food, and healthcare. They will use historical artefacts to identify similarities and differences between life then and now, asking important questions to deepen their understanding.

A Local Hero: Dr. Jephson’s Fight for the Poor

Children will discover the inspiring story of Dr. Jephson, a historical figure who helped poor people access medical care. They will explore how his work made a difference and compare it to the healthcare we have today.

The NHS: How Has Healthcare Changed?

Before the NHS, only the rich could afford medical care. Children will learn about how the NHS was introduced and why it was such an important moment in history. They will discuss how it changed people’s lives, making healthcare available for everyone, no matter their wealth.

Staying Healthy & Safe

Why is it important to take care of our health? Children will learn about:
✔️ The importance of hygiene in preventing illness
✔️ How to stay safe with medicine
✔️ The benefits of a healthy diet and exercise

They will create a leaflet to share with the local GP surgery, teaching the community how to stay healthy and safe.

Science in Action: Healthy Living for Everyone!

Through scientific enquiry, children will explore how hygiene, diet, and exercise contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They will understand that anyone—regardless of wealth—can make choices to live healthily!

Bringing Learning to Life: Our Authentic Outcome

To showcase their learning, children will:
📸 Record their work in an enquiry book, creating a photo page of their journey.
📄 Design and distribute health leaflets to share important advice with their local GP practice and the wider community.

Making a Difference: Leaving a Social Legacy

To give back to their community, children will take part in a DT project, where they will:
🍪 Bake healthy flapjacks to sell in Leamington.
💰 Donate the money raised to a local foodbank, supporting families in need.

This experience will help children see how they can make a real impact in their community, just like Dr. Jephson did in the past.

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.

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:

• Multiplication and Division

  • Exploring multiplication as repeated addition and using arrays.
  • Learning the 2, 5, and 10 times tables and understanding the relationship between multiplication and division.
  • Solving one-step multiplication and division problems using objects, drawings, and mental methods.
  • Understanding division as sharing and grouping, and solving problems involving equal groups.

• Statistics

  • Interpreting and constructing simple tally charts and pictograms.
  • Creating block diagrams and reading data presented in these forms.
  • Solving one-step and two-step questions about data, such as comparing quantities and finding totals.

• Geometry: Properties of Shape

  • Identifying and describing 2D shapes (e.g., circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons) based on their properties.
  • Recognizing and describing 3D shapes (e.g., cubes, spheres, cones, pyramids) and identifying edges, vertices, and faces.
  • Exploring symmetry in 2D shapes and identifying symmetrical patterns.
  • Sorting shapes based on their attributes and using Venn and Carroll diagrams.

• Fractions

  • Recognizing, finding, and naming one-half, one-quarter, and three-quarters of an object, shape, or quantity.
  • Understanding how fractions relate to division and equal parts.
  • Using visual representations (e.g., shaded areas and number lines) to understand and compare simple fractions.

• Measurement: Length and Height

  • Measuring and comparing lengths using non-standard and standard units (centimetres and metres).
  • Solving problems that involve comparing and ordering lengths and heights.
  • Adding and subtracting lengths and recording the results accurately.

• Problem Solving and Reasoning

  • Applying knowledge of multiplication, division, shapes, and measurement to solve problems in different contexts.
  • Developing reasoning skills through explaining methods and approaches to solving mathematical tasks.
  • Engaging in collaborative activities to share strategies and solutions, encouraging deeper mathematical thinking.