Curriculum Information 2026-27 H Group (Year 2)
Learning Through Topics The Junior School follows a one-week timetable and a topic-based curriculum. Learning across different subjects is often connected to the term’s topic, allowing pupils to explore ideas in depth and understand how knowledge and skills connect. Each topic begins by asking: What do we already know? What do we want to find out? Questions, discussion and discovery help shape the learning that follows. Trips, practical activities and first-hand experiences bring each topic to life, while pupils continue to develop essential knowledge and core skills across the curriculum.
Our approach to learning Every pupil brings different strengths, experiences and needs to their learning. At St Chris, we combine ambitious academic goals with deep learning, curiosity and meaningful engagement. We provide the right balance of support and challenge for each pupil, helping them to make progress, develop confidence and grow academically, socially and personally.
Our Year At A Glance Autumn: The Victorians Pupils travel back in time to explore life during the Victorian era. They learn about significant people and events from Queen Victoria's reign, comparing schools, homes and daily life in the past with those of today, while considering how society has changed over time.
Spring: Great Explorers Pupils discover the achievements of significant explorers from around the world. Through stories, maps and enquiry, they learn about remarkable journeys and compare exploration in the past with modern travel, developing curiosity about the wider world.
Summer: Africa Pupils explore the rich diversity of the African continent through geography, history and environmental studies. They investigate landscapes, wildlife, migration and influential figures, while developing map skills and learning about the people, places and cultures of Africa.
Tracking Progress Teachers regularly observe and assess pupils’ learning, building a clear understanding of each pupil’s strengths, progress and areas for development. Half-termly meetings with the Head of the Junior School help identify where an individual pupil may benefit from additional support or greater challenge. Small classes and support from teaching assistants also allow for focused group work where needed. Families receive two academic reports each year, alongside a parent consultation every term and teachers are always available for individual meetings.
Homework Homework is meaningful, manageable and connected to pupils’ learning in school. Pupils are offered a selection of age-appropriate enrichment activities, typically choosing three or four to complete. These may involve creative projects, practical challenges or research, with some offering opportunities for the whole family to take part.
Weekly Hours Per Subject This graphic represents a typical week in H Group.
English 6 Hours
Maths 4 Hours
Music 50 mins
Humanities 1 Hour 30 mins
Forest School
Phonics 1 Hour 30 mins
1.5 Hours
Art & DT 1 Hour Swimming 30 mins
Science 1 Hour 40 mins PSHE & RSE 50 mins Computing 50 mins
French 30 mins PE 50 mins
Core Learning
taught by class teachers
English (including phonics) 7 Hours 10 mins
Maths 4 Hours
English combines reading, writing and phonics, with learning often linked to our termly topics. Pupils explore fiction, non-fiction and poetry while developing comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting skills. Through the Little Wandle programme, they continue to build phonics knowledge, reading fluency and confidence as writers. Focus: Reading • Writing • Phonics • Vocabulary • Grammar • Spelling Using the White Rose approach, pupils develop confidence, fluency and mathematical understanding. Key areas include number, calculation, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, time, statistics and problem-solving, helping pupils apply maths in meaningful situations. Focus: Fluency • Problem-solving • Reasoning • Real-life application
Science 1 Hour 40 mins
Science encourages curiosity about the natural world through practical investigation and enquiry. Topics include plants, animals including humans, living things and their habitats, everyday materials and the environment, helping pupils develop scientific understanding and questioning skills. Focus: Question • Observe • Investigate • Explain
Humanities (Geography/ History) 1 Hour 30 mins
Humanities learning helps pupils develop an understanding of both the past and the world around them. Through their topics, pupils explore chronology, significant people, continents, oceans, maps and atlases while developing geographical and historical enquiry skills. Focus: Chronology • Comparison • Maps • Discussion • Enquiry
Creative, Personal and Technology taught by class teachers
Art & Design Technology 1 Hour
PSHE & RSE 50 mins
Computing 50 mins
Art and design technology are inspired by our topics and encourage creativity and exploration. Pupils experiment with drawing, painting, clay and environmental art while developing practical design skills through designing, making and evaluating their own creations. PSHE and RSE support pupils in staying safe, happy and healthy while developing positive and respectful relationships. Following the SCARF programme, Year 2 learning focuses on friendships, wellbeing, emotions, personal safety, diversity and growing independence. Teaching takes place in a safe and inclusive environment, and pupils are never expected to share personal experiences. Parents are informed in advance about RSE content.
Our “MR P” ICT curriculum supports students in developing essential digital skills through a creative approach. Using the DARES model (Design, Apply, Refine, Evaluate, Share), students plan, create, improve, reflect on and share their work. Projects include programming with Bee-Bots, stop-motion animation, photography, data handling and creating simple presentations and quizzes.
Creative and Languages
taught by subject specialist teachers
French 25 mins
Pupils learn French through games, songs, stories and practical activities. They build confidence in listening and speaking while developing vocabulary, sentence structures and an awareness of how languages work.
Music 50 mins
Pupils explore music through singing, listening, performance and creative activities. They develop an understanding of pitch, tempo, dynamics, rhythm and musical texture while learning how sounds can be combined to create expressive performances.
Learning beyond the classroom taught by subject specialist teachers
PE 50 mins
Pupils develop fundamental movement skills through: Fitness • Creative Dance • Yoga • Gymnastics • Athletics They build coordination, balance and confidence while learning to work cooperatively and apply skills in a range of physical activities.
Swimming focuses on developing confidence, stamina and water safety. Swimming 30 mins
Pupils work towards swimming 25 metres confidently, improving technique across all four strokes and developing core aquatic skills through a variety of activities and games.
Forest School 1 Hour 40 mins
Forest School encourages curiosity, independence and a growing understanding of the natural world. Pupils learn to identify plants and animals, use simple tools safely, investigate habitats and develop practical skills through exploration, construction and collaborative play.
What is Forest School? Forest School is a child-centred, inspirational approach that develops confidence, independence and self-esteem through regular learning in a natural environment. Sessions encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving, helping pupils build a meaningful connection with the world around them.