This Term
Below you will find information about what the classes in KS1 are learning about this term.
Spring 2026
English
Where possible our English work this term will link with our learning in other areas of the curriculum and will follow our Talk 4 Writing approach.
Our first text will be ‘How the Tortoise Got It’s Shell’ and the children will learn the story before going on to write in a similar style. The children will also follow a similar approach to study other texts this term including an animal poem titled ‘I have a Little Turtle’, a 'just so' story called “How the World Was Made” and instructions to make a salad wrap linked to their DT project.
The children will continue with their daily phonics and spelling work. Year 1 children will continue to learn new vowel digraphs and look at how some sounds can be written in more than one way. The Year 2 children will continue using the Read, Write Inc Spelling scheme for their daily spelling lessons. More information about this approach can be read in the curriculum part of our website. As part of this work the Year 2 children will focus on spelling rules such as rules for suffixes -y, -ing and -ed as well as the or sound spelt with an a before l or ll.
In addition to this the children will continue their work on consolidating grammar by learning more about conjunctions, using the correct tense, questions marks, commas and exclamation marks and beginning to use noun phrases.
Maths
The children will learn more about number concepts including counting in different steps, ordering numbers, writing calculations using the correct symbols and recalling simple number facts. Year 1 children will learn their number bonds to 20 and find different ways to present these. Year 2 children will learn more about recognising, ordering and comparing numbers. Year 2 will use their known number facts to help them derive other facts and begin to add and take away two, two digit numbers. Year 1 will use pictorial representations to help them calculate simple problems about groups of amounts. They will build on their understanding of multiplication by learning more times tables and the associated division facts. All children will work on simple fractions, Year 1 will recognise half of shapes and small amounts of objects whereas Year 2 will recognise the written form of some simple fractions as well as begin to find the fraction of a given number or amount. All children will also work on comparing and measuring length as well as using money and calculating using values of money. The children will also work using the vocabulary of telling the time and learn more about 2D shapes. Year 2 children will learn about rotation and use the terms full turn, half turn and quarter turn.
Science
In the first half term children will be looking at comparing animals. They will name and describe the physical features of a range of animals. They will sort animals into groups based on their similarities and differences. They will identify characteristics specific to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Children will recall the diets of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. When working scientifically, children will use a non-fiction text to find out about specific animals’ diets. They will learn that there are different ways to gather data, record data in a block graph and use this to answer questions. They will recognise what the scientist Jane Goodall was known for and recall some of Jane Goodall’s key findings.
In the second half term children will learn about the everyday uses of materials. They will name objects with the same use that are made from different materials. They will name materials that are used to make objects with different uses. Children will recognise that stretching, twisting, bending and squashing can cause some solid objects to change shape. They will name properties that make materials suitable for their use. When working scientifically, children will measure using non-standard units, record results in a table, use data to answer a simple question and record results in a block graph.
Geography
Children will learn how to use maps. They will know that they live in England which is part of the UK. They will locate the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK) and their capital cities on a map of this area. They will know that atlases give information about the world and that a map tells us information about a place. They will draw a map and using class agreed symbols to make a simple key. They will discuss the features they see in the area surrounding their school and ask and answering simple questions about human and physical features of the area.
History
Children will learn about significant events and places in their own locality. They will start by looking at how did people travel in the past. They will look at who invented the first steam locomotive and learn about George Stephenson. They will look at who built the first railway in Leeds finding out about Charles Brandling. The children will explore the reasons why having a railway was important in Leeds and how Middleton Railway is used today.
DT
Children will learn about the 5 sections of the Eatwell Plate - fruit and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, protein, dairy and foods high in fat or sugar. They will learn that fruit and vegetables contain nutrients to help us make energy, grow and stay healthy. Children will design and make a salad wrap, naming some salad ingredients and food hygiene rules. They will learn how to hold a knife to chop vegetables carefully using the claw technique.
Art
Children will learn about Henry Moore and know that he was an artist who was born in Yorkshire. They will identify different techniques in artist work and practise using some of these such as at stippling, scumbling, hatching and cross-hatching. They will use pencils, charcoal and pastels to create different effects and explore tone. Children will create observational drawings of real-life objects using a variety of media.
Computing
In the first half term children will plan a pictorial story using photographic images in sequence. They will explain how to take clear photos and take photos using a device. They will edit photos by cropping, filtering and resizing. Children will search for and import images from the internet. They will explain what to do if something makes them uncomfortable online. They will organise images on the page, orientating where necessary.
In the second half term children will look at data handling. They will log in and use mouse and keyboard skills to navigate the computer. They will represent animal-themed data in different ways, using objects and technology. Children will represent the same data as a pictogram and a table or chart. They will collect data about minibeasts using a tally chart and represent data digitally. Children will click and drag objects to sort data using a branching database. They will consider the types of input used to gather different forms of data when designing an invention.
PE
During the first half term the children will be working on key physical skills, agility in chasing balls and static balance floor work. PE is taught using the ‘Real PE’ approach where the children use story and song to help them acquire and master the key physical skills through a range of games, challenges and activities.
After half term the children will work on the key physical keys of dynamic balance to agility and static balance seated. Year 2 will also take part in a skipping school workshop working towards a skipping competition in the summer term.
Music
In the first half term children will learn about Gustav Holst and how he was a British composer. They will listen to his most famous work ‘The Planets’ which he wrote for the orchestra, and which includes the BBC Ten Piece, Mars. Children will explore spikey and smooth in the context of music. They will learn a new song and sing it in different styles. They will play simple patterns and repeat simple patterns back. They will write new lyrics to a familiar tune about all the things you might find on your way to Mars! They will make their own space map with lots of different sounds. They will play some classroom instruments.
In the second half term children will learn how to move in time with a steady beat/pulse. They will copy back simple long and short rhythms with clapping and copy back singing simple high and low patterns. They will understand and demonstrate the difference between pulse, rhythm and pitch.
RE
Children will explore the concept of celebration. They will look at the ways in which we celebrate special events and how religions mark festival days. Children will develop their understanding of celebrations, including religious festivals such as Harvest festival and Eid ul Fitr. Children will respond and reflect and create their own class celebration.
In the second half term children will learn about the views of different religions/worldviews regarding the origins of the world and the place of human beings in it. They will look at the ways in which religious and non-religious individuals and organisations show care and concern for the planet.
Life Curriculum
In the first half term children will learn how jobs help people earn money to pay for things they need and want. They will find out about a range of different jobs and how people have different strengths and interests that enable them to do different jobs. They will investigate how people use the internet and digital devices in their jobs and everyday life.
In the second half term children will look at how rules and restrictions help them to keep safe (eg basic road, fire, cycle water safety; in relation to medicines/household products and online) They will know ways to identify risky and potentially unsafe situations (in familiar and unfamiliar environments, including online) and take steps to avoid or remove themselves from them. They will discuss ways to resist pressure to do something that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, including keeping secrets. They will know that not everything they see online is true or trustworthy and that people can pretend to be someone they are not. They will look at ways to tell a trusted adult if they are worried for themselves or others, worried that something is unsafe or if they come across something that scares or concerns them.