Wales Report Comments: Ambition and Engagement, Rec-Y2
Ambition and engagement is how keen a learner is to learn: showing enthusiasm, asking questions about the world, setting goals and choosing challenges, and taking pride in the quality of finished work. It links to the purpose of ambitious, capable learners.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Reception-Year 2: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Consistently / Usually / Sometimes / Not yet), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 173 ambition and engagement sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Consistently · Usually · Sometimes · Not yet · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Consistently C
Strengths
- At show and tell, [Name] is reliably curious and has a question ready for each classmate who brings something in.
- Curious about how things work, [Name] wonders aloud with confidence and asks questions that open up new lines of thinking for the class.
Next step
- A next step for [Name] is to choose a challenge card in the provision areas and explain to an adult how to make it even harder.
Usually U
Strengths
- In the outdoor area, [Name] regularly wonders aloud about plants, insects and the weather.
- Curiosity often leads [Name] to ask why or how, and these questions add to class discussions.
Next step
- [Name] could slow down a little during mark making and early writing so that each piece is something to feel proud of.
Sometimes S
Strengths
- When a classmate shares news at show and tell, [Name] is learning to think of something to ask them.
- At times, [Name] wonders aloud about how or why something happens, and these moments are well worth encouraging.
Next step
- An adult will help [Name] think of a question to ask at show and tell, building curiosity about classmates' news.
Not yet N
Strengths
- With a visual prompt card, [Name] is beginning to ask a classmate a question during show and tell.
- Alongside an adult, [Name] is starting to share what [he/she/they] would like to find out about a new topic.
Next step
- With an adult alongside, [Name] could choose one new activity in the outdoor area each day.
Support at home
- You could put a favourite piece of school work on the fridge and ask [Name] what makes it special.
How to write ambition and engagement comments for Reception-Year 2
- Look at what the child chooses in continuous provision and the outdoor area, and how long they stay with it. Name one interest, such as minibeasts, so parents and carers can feed it at home.
- For goal setting at this age, describe a challenge the child set themselves in play, like building the tallest tower, rather than written targets. It shows ambition in a form families recognise.
- Pride shows in small actions: wanting to share a model at show and tell or asking to take mark making home. Quote one such moment instead of a general word like keen.
Watch out: Do not confuse enthusiasm with volume. A quiet learner may be deeply engaged, asking questions one-to-one or taking great care over work, so look for that evidence before choosing a lower rating.
Let the rating shape the wording. Consistently suits reliably, independently and without being asked; Usually suits regularly and with few reminders; Sometimes suits at times and with some support; Not yet names what the learner can do with adult support or a visual prompt. Show the rating through one behaviour you have seen rather than repeating the word itself.
What Ambition and Engagement covers
In these comments, ambition and engagement covers these behaviours:
- is enthusiastic and motivated to learn
- asks questions and is curious about the world
- sets goals and challenges themselves
- takes pride in the quality of their work
More Curriculum for Wales comments
- Ambition and Engagement, Years 3-6
- Creativity and Innovation, Reception-Year 2
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Reception-Year 2
- Personal Effectiveness, Reception-Year 2
- Planning and Organising, Reception-Year 2
- Collaboration and Citizenship, Reception-Year 2
- Opening and closing sentences
- All Curriculum for Wales skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.