Go to the wall for Year 2

Hamilton's 'Go to the Wall' skills are the heart of what enables children to become successful in maths. They are the building blocks of maths without which children will be blocked from making further progress. All children need to work towards age-related expectations throughout the year. But you need to be sure that children are confident in these 'Go to the Wall' mathematical skills before year-end. EVERY child should possess ALL these ground-level skills as they leave Year 2.

• Locate any 2-digit number on a landmarked line and use this to compare numbers; record comparisons using crocodile signs, e.g. 56 > 39.
• Identify any number on the 1-100 number grid; understand that each number is a multiple of ten and some ones, e.g. 54 is 50 and 4 more.
• Know securely number pairs for all the numbers up to and including 12, e.g. pairs which make 8 (4 + 4, 5 + 3, 6 + 2, 7 + 1, 8 + 0) and bonds to 10 (1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5).
• Recognise that addition and subtraction are inverse operations and understand that 10 – 4 = 6 as well as 6 + 4 = 10.
• Count in steps of 2, 5, and 10 from 0.
• Count in halves e.g. ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3…
• Know different unit patterns when not crossing a ten, e.g.
  • 4 + 3 = 7
  • 14 + 3 = 17
  • 24 + 3 = 27, etc.
• Begin to recognise unit patterns when crossing a ten, e.g.
  • 5 + 6 = 11
  • 15 + 6 = 21
  • 25 + 6 = 31, etc.
• Add two single digit numbers (8 + 7) by counting up; add two 2-digit numbers which total less than 100 by counting on in tens and ones, e.g. 54 + 37 as 54 + 30 + 7.
• Count back in ones or tens to take away, e.g. 27 - 3 = or 54 - 20 =.
• Begin to count up to find a difference between two numbers with a small gap (42 - 38).
• Know the 2x, 5x and 10x tables and begin to say how many 10s are in 40 or how many 5s are in 30; use x sign correctly and begin to use ÷ sign.
• Understand the concept of one half, one quarter and three quarters as numbers (½, ¼, ¾) and as operators (½ of 6 is ?) in a practical context, e.g. on a fraction strip or with smarties on a cake.
• Compare and order objects according to their lengths, weights and capacities using suitable units.
• Identify and describe, with reference to relevant properties, 4 or more common 2-D and 3-D shapes.
• Tell the time on digital and analogue clocks to the nearest quarter of an hour.

We strongly recommend that you ensure that your children fully master these skills by tracking them through the year.

Download a monitoring template for Year 2