Year 1/2

Welcome to Year 1/2

This is an exciting year full of new learning, growing independence, and lots of fun along the way.We have three wonderful Year 1/2 classes:

Bumblebees, Butterflies and Dragonflies

In Year 1/2, we build on the fantastic foundations laid in Reception and help the children transition smoothly into more structured learning. Our days are filled with exciting topics, hands-on activities, and opportunities to explore, create, and imagine. From discovering the world around us to growing our reading and writing skills, every child is encouraged to be curious, confident, and kind.

Our Curriculum

In Year 1/2, we offer a rich and balanced curriculum designed to nurture curiosity, creativity and confidence. We begin the Autumn term by shining a spotlight on musicality and performance. Children rehearse and perform at Brixham Theatre, developing their singing, speaking and performance skills. They also explore musical composition, learning the glockenspiel and creating their own ostinatos. After half-term, we delve into History with an enquiry on the Gunpowder Plot before switching to Geography, where we investigate weather patterns, forecasting and compass points. The term ends with a festive DT project — designing and making Christmas decorations.

Spring 1 introduces key digital skills through our Computing curriculum, alongside a focused Art enquiry centred on observational drawing. Spring 2 brings a longer, inspiring Art project, where children study artists and create their own masterpieces for a gallery-style exhibition. We also blend Computing and DT in our much-loved ‘Moving Robots’ unit, giving children the chance to write algorithms and navigate robotic challenges.

As summer arrives, we turn back time with a History enquiry on Castles — discovering their features and purposes before visiting one for real. In Summer 2, children enjoy two exciting DT projects: crafting moving picture books using simple mechanisms and designing, marketing, and making their own smoothies. We finish the year with a Geography enquiry on map skills, which culminates in a fieldwork walk around Brixham to identify human and physical features.

Enriching Year 1/2

At Eden Park, we believe learning should be meaningful, memorable and full of wonder. In Year 1/2, we enrich the curriculum with a wide range of hands-on experiences that bring learning to life.

Our children explore history first-hand with a visit to Totnes Castle and get creative with local artists, including making willow lanterns for the Brixham Lanterns, Lights and ‘Luminations parade. We nurture a love of nature through regular Wild for Learning sessions — gardening, pond dipping, and discovering the natural world around us.

We also develop life skills through cookery and growing projects, learning where food comes from and how to prepare simple dishes. Sports and teamwork thrive with football, tag rugby sessions at our local club, and our popular Ocean Club, where children learn about marine life and caring for the environment. We even learn basic first aid with a qualified professional, helping children feel empowered, safe and capable.

Visits to inspiring places, such as Paignton Zoo and the Cockington Sculpture Trail, ensure that our Bumblebees, Butterflies, Caterpillars and Dragonflies enjoy a vibrant and varied school experience that builds confidence, compassion and a lifelong love of learning.

Our final short Geography enquiry teaches map skills, which the children apply during a walk around Brixham to identify human and physical features.

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