Pedagogy in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

Our creative teaching philosophy ensures that children actively explore the entire curriculum, making full use of both indoor and outdoor environments.

In Years 1 and 2, we continue to embrace the concept of ‘busy learning’—a dynamic approach that differs from the continuous and enhanced provision in Early Years. Busy Learning encourages children to experiment, practice, and apply knowledge and skills across the National Curriculum subjects.

What Does Busy Learning Look Like in Year 1 and 2?

Busy learning is not limited to the classroom; it extends to our outdoor spaces, offering children opportunities throughout the day to engage in hands-on, meaningful experiences.

Key Objectives of Busy Learning:

• Embed curriculum skills and knowledge
• Challenge learning
• Encourage collaboration and cooperation
• Develop resilience and self-help skills

Benefits of Busy Learning:

• Consolidates learning
• Promotes problem-solving and risk-taking
• Fosters collaboration with peers
• Encourages independent decision-making
• Supports learning through play

Busy Learning Areas Include:

• Carefully chosen fiction and non-fiction books to support learning
• A variety of resources to allow children to make independent choices
• Clear guidance through photos, words, and simple sentences to help children understand expectations
• “Real” resources where applicable, to enhance authenticity
• Defined spaces to support purposeful learning

Inside Learning Environment:

• Small World: Role play based on curriculum topics
• Imaginative Play: Linked to reading, history, or other subjects (e.g. garden shop, museum tour guide)
• ‘Busy Hands’: Activities that build fine motor control (e.g. cutting, threading, building)
• Curriculum-Linked Activities:
  • Writing and reading activities
  • Practical maths challenges
  • Art and design for expression or skill practice
  • Design technology for building, making, and designing
  • Computing activities (coding, research, programming)
  • Music practice
  • Geography and mapping skills
  • Scientific enquiry and investigation
  • History exploration using secondary resources

Outside Learning Environment:

• Role Play: Similar to indoor, but scaled up for physical engagement
• Gross Motor Skill Development: Large construction, art murals, PE skills
• Curriculum Activities: As above, with opportunities for bigger, outdoor applications:
  • Maths, art, design technology, computing, music, and geography
  • PE skills and strength activities
  • Science and history investigations in real-world contexts

Our busy learning approach ensures that children are actively engaged, learning in a way that builds both academic skills and personal development.