Welcome to Years 1 & 2
At Dallington, Year 1&2 forms a vital bridge between the play-based approach of Early Years and the more structured curriculum of later primary education. During these transition years, our dedicated teachers nurture children’s curiosity and confidence, blending in familiar activities and resources from the Early Years curriculum with more formal learning experiences. We gradually introduce more focused literacy and numeracy sessions, while still valuing imaginative play, outdoor learning, and hands-on exploration. This balanced approach ensures that each child feels secure and supported as they develop essential skills, laying the foundations for future success both academically and personally, developing a lifelong love of learning.
Our children enjoy a rich, cross-curricular and topic-based curriculum, taught through an enquiry lens that encourages curiosity and independent thinking. We place a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, with Geography, History and RE brought together into the topic chosen each term. Extracurricular learning is an important part of the curriculum, and as such, the children receive lessons in Art, French, Performing Arts Sports and Forest School from specialist teachers. PSHE is taught as a discrete subject each week and is essential in supporting our children to develop positive relationships and a strong sense of respect and tolerance for others. Through these lessons, children learn about their own feelings, the importance of friendship, and the value of understanding and appreciating different beliefs and cultures, laying the foundations for a welcoming and inclusive community both within and beyond Dallington School.
We recognise the unique strengths and interests of every child. In Year 1&2, small group work and a child-led approach are at the heart of our teaching. Working in small groups allows pupils to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other’s learning, while nurturing independence and building confidence. By encouraging children to steer in their learning, we help them develop key skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and self-motivation. This approach ensures that every child’s talents are recognised and developed, enabling them to flourish both academically and personally.
Meet Barney, Year 1&2 Teacher
Barney has been an integral part of the Dallington community for nearly ten years. With a passion for early primary education, he creates a classroom where learning through play is joyful and meaningful. He’s committed to helping children grow in confidence, take pride in their work, and enjoy coming to school each day.
Barney brings a creative spark to Dallington, drawing on his impressive background in animation and music. His innovative approach infuses lessons with imagination and visual storytelling, inspiring children to think outside the box. Whether planning engaging projects or delivering dynamic lessons, he uses his creativity and expertise to make learning lively, memorable, and accessible for all.
Literacy
We help children become confident readers who love books. Through phonics, storytelling, and visits to Finsbury Library, we inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Maths
Children explore maths through hands-on activities, visual learning, and real-world problem solving. We build understanding from counting blocks to confident calculation.
STEM
Science at Dallington is practical, playful, and topic-linked. Children experiment, ask questions, and discover how the world works—with the support of trips and hands-on activities.
From basic coding with Cubetto to Scratch animations, their engineering skills grow through designing and building.
Forest School
Our youngest learners explore nature through stories, sensory activities, and imaginative play. They gain confidence outdoors, learning about plants, animals, and their environment.
The Arts
Art, drama and music are integral to life at Dallington. Children create, perform, and express themselves freely—supported by visiting artists and musicians. Every term ends with a performance for families.
PE & Sport
From yoga to football, dance to swimming, children stay active every week. They learn coordination, teamwork, and resilience through sport—indoors and out.
French
We teach French through fun, immersive sessions using games, songs and storytelling. Children speak with confidence and enjoy discovering another language and culture.
SEND
We welcome every child and provide support tailored to their needs—academic, emotional or linguistic. With our SENCo, EAL resources and nurturing staff, every child thrives at their own pace.