Lower Key Stage 2

At Barnes Primary School, Lower Key Stage 2 is an exciting and important stage in each child’s journey. Years 3 and 4 provide the bridge between the routines and foundations of Key Stage 1 and the growing independence expected as children move further through Key Stage 2.

During this phase, children continue to strengthen the core skills of reading, writing and mathematics while enjoying a broad, ambitious and knowledge-rich curriculum. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build securely on what they already know, revisit important knowledge and develop the confidence to apply their understanding in new contexts.

We also place a strong emphasis on the wider skills children need to become successful learners. Pupils gradually develop greater independence, organisation, resilience, collaboration, curiosity and confidence. They practise explaining their thinking, listening to others, reflecting on their learning and applying key skills across different subjects.

Relationships, belonging and confidence are central to life in Lower Key Stage 2. Children are supported to develop positive learning habits, take increasing responsibility for themselves and work well with others. The phase has been organised so that Year 3 and Year 4 children can remain closely connected, interact regularly and continue to benefit from familiar relationships across the age groups.

Our aim is for every child in Lower Key Stage 2 to feel known, supported and challenged. By the end of Year 4, children should feel confident in themselves as learners, secure in the key foundations they need, and ready for the opportunities and expectations of Upper Key Stage 2.