Welcome to Year 2!

Meet the Staff:                                                   

Class Teacher: Suad Jama

Teaching Assistant: Vicky Cloud

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Click here to read the Class Newsletter - TERM 1

Year 2 – Term 2 | The Great Fire of London

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term, Year 2 are stepping back in time to 1666 as we explore the fascinating topic “The Great Fire of London.”
Through drama, storytelling, and hands-on investigation, pupils will learn how a small spark became one of the most significant events in London’s history — and how the city rose from the ashes to become the vibrant place we know today.

This unit will allow children to make powerful connections between the past and present, deepening their understanding of community, courage, and change. Across all subjects, they’ll continue developing independence, curiosity, and pride in their growing skills.

English

Our main text, The Great Fire of London by Emma Adams, will inspire pupils to:

• Write diary entries in the style of Samuel Pepys, using expressive language and sequencing events accurately

• Create newspaper reports recounting the fire’s timeline and heroic stories

• Write letters and setting descriptions that capture atmosphere and emotion

• Use expanded noun phrases and varied sentence openers to improve detail and flow

Children will also continue to strengthen spelling patterns (a-e, ay, ai, ee, ea, e-e, i-e, igh, y, o-e, oa, ow, u-e, oo, ew, ar) and practise accurate use of contractions, conjunctions, and past-tense verbs.

Speaking and listening will remain central, with pupils using oracy frameworks to explain, debate, and retell historical events in their own words.

Maths

This term, pupils move from concrete to abstract reasoning with a focus on:

• Addition & Subtraction: using tens and ones with and without regrouping

• Multiplication & Division: understanding equal groups, arrays, and repeated addition

• Fractions and Shape: identifying halves, quarters, and simple symmetry in 2D shapes

• Data Handling: reading and creating simple bar charts and pictograms

We’ll also introduce simple reasoning problems where children explain their methods aloud — building both mathematical understanding and oracy confidence.

Science

Our Science topic is Materials and Their Properties, directly linked to the Great Fire. Pupils will:

• Identify different materials and describe their properties (hardness, strength, flexibility, flammability)

• Test which materials are most suitable for building

• Explore how heat changes materials, observing cause and effect

• Learn to plan and record a fair test using clear diagrams and results tables

These investigations will connect science with design, resilience, and problem-solving — key scientific habits that promote curiosity and reflection.

Topic & Wider Curriculum

History:

• Reconstruct the events of the Great Fire, using primary sources such as diaries, paintings, and maps

• Learn about key figures like Samuel Pepys and King Charles II

• Explore how the fire changed building laws and safety in London

Geography:

• Compare London in 1666 and today using old and modern maps

• Identify human and physical features (rivers, bridges, buildings, streets)

• Develop compass skills (north, south, east, west) through fieldwork activities

Art & DT:

• Create mixed-media collages inspired by the fire’s movement and colour

• Design and build Tudor houses using a range of materials

• Evaluate and adapt models based on stability and design choices

RE:

• Explore Christian beliefs and the story of Jesus as a teacher

• Learn about how faith can inspire compassion and community

Computing:

• Create digital news reports on the Great Fire using audio and images

• Develop sequencing and debugging skills in coding programmes

Music:

• Explore rhythm and tempo through songs linked to London and community

• Prepare for festive performances, developing confidence in singing and timing

PSHE:

• Focus on Celebrating Difference — understanding individuality, kindness, and respect

• Role-play scenarios where empathy and teamwork help solve challenges

MFL (Spanish):

• Learn colours, numbers, and simple classroom vocabulary through songs and games

• Practise greetings and polite phrases to build early conversational confidence

Enrichment

To bring learning to life, pupils will take part in:

• A trip to St Paul’s Cathedral and The Monument, retracing the story of 1666 from the city’s skyline

• Art immersion days, where children create their own fiery skyline using collage and silhouette techniques

• A “Fire Safety Today” workshop, linking past and present understanding of how we keep communities safe

These experiences will help children see history as something that lives around us — not just in books.

Supporting Your Child at Home

• Read daily with your child for 15–20 minutes and ask questions about the story.

• Practise weekly spellings using EdShed.

• Work on number bonds and early times tables facts.

ow You Can Support at Home

• Read together daily – Just 10 minutes a day has a huge impact! Talk about what they’ve read and ask questions to check understanding.

• IXL Practice – Aim for 15 minutes of Maths or English skills per day to boost confidence and fluency.

• Edshed – Support your child in practising their weekly spellings.

These small routines really do make a big difference in helping your child shine.

Best wishes,
The Year 2 Team 😊