We welcome you to Enquirers Class.

Enquirers Class is where our pupils in Year Two learn in the mornings. They are taught by Mrs Whittle, supported by Miss Johnson.

In the afternoons, Year 2 will join their Year 1 and EYFS peers in Explorers. During these sessions, they will learn through a shared topic, with activities carefully adapted to suit each child’s age and level of development.  Learning will take place through a structured continuous provision approach, combining small-group teaching with opportunities for child-led exploration, supported by the teacher and teaching assistants.

This model offers pupils a balanced approach, combining formal, structured teaching with play-led learning.  Research and practice in many schools and educational systems show that this blend can support both strong academic progress and positive wellbeing.

The concept of play-led learning is rooted in established theories of child development. Educational thinkers such as Friedrich Froebel and Lev Vygotsky emphasised the importance of play in learning.  Froebel believed that children are naturally curious, creative learners who thrive through activity, exploration, and reflection, famously describing play as “the highest level of child development” (Tovey, 2020).  Similarly, Vygotsky highlighted the importance of social interaction and relationships in learning, recognising play as a crucial context for cognitive and emotional development (Macdonald, 2022).

Enquirers Learning – Term 1