The Junior Department – Year 1/2
Year 2 (J3)
Transition from Reception (J1) to Year 1(J2)
The transition between J2 and J3 is smooth and seamless, as the timetable and expectations are similar. During the Summer term of J2, children are encouraged to complete written tasks more independently in preparation for J3. They will also be introduced to writing the learning objective alongside the date and title, which will be expected from September. The key difference in J3 is the higher expectation for the quality and quantity of work, with children expected to read more of the task questions and materials independently.
Classroom Environment and Timetable
Children are expected to take increasing responsibility for their organisation and learning. Children are introduced to a homework diary, which must be brought to school daily along with their reading record. Homework tasks, page numbers, and teacher instructions are recorded each morning. J3 shares the same start and end times as J2, except in the second half of Summer Term, when the end time is extended by 20 minutes to prepare them for Senior School routines.
In addition to the core and specialist subjects taught in J2, J3 have a dedicated weekly Drama lesson to support their leadership of the Junior Christmas production. This time is used for rehearsals and acting skill development. Children also have opportunities to audition for the Junior Choir, with weekly choir sessions throughout the year.
In the latter part of the year, J3 children will be expected to come to school in full school uniform and change into their PE kit before any physical activity. More information is included in the Uniform section of J3’s half termly newsletter closer to the time.
Subjects Overview
Children study core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science, alongside Humanities subjects including History, Geography, RE, and PSE/RHE. They also take part in specialist subjects such as PE, Games, Swimming, Music, Dance, Computing, Spanish, Forest School and now Drama.
Homework and Assessment
J3 children continue to receive daily English and Maths homework that builds on the concepts taught in class. They are introduced to Personalised Learning Groups (PLGs), a 6-week programme where children are grouped across the year and taught a tailored curriculum in English and Maths to further develop their skills.
Termly assessments in English and Maths continue, as in J2, and children begin to be introduced to verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which will be further developed in the senior school. More information about these assessments can be found in the newsletters or by speaking with class teachers.
J3 children also continue weekly Monday spelling tests and will begin Friday Mental Arithmetic tests, which will become a regular feature throughout their Senior School journey.
Wider Life of the School
A range of new clubs becomes available in J3. They have a year group assembly once a term focused on English, Maths, or Science, and participate in House events linked to these subjects. J3 leads the Junior Christmas production, performing all speaking parts, with extra Drama lessons to support their preparation.
Children may audition for the Junior Choir, which rehearses weekly, and participate in breaktime football leagues later in the year. In J3, children take on wider responsibilities by joining the School Council, where they vote for class representatives and attend regular lunchtime meetings. They can also become Mental Health Ambassadors, Buddies, or Helpers, supporting both their peers and the wider school community.
Forest School continues, and children are increasingly expected to manage their own organisation, including packing and changing in and out of kit independently.
Parents are kept up to date with school news, events, and resources through the school website, termly whole school Newsletters the J3 Google Drive, the half-termly newsletter, and ParentMail.