: Proud to be part of the RISE Reception Networks Programme A national RISE initiative aimed at improving the quality of reception year

Reception year is a pivotal stage in children’s development, laying the foundations for their learning, wellbeing and long-term success. To support the government’s ambition for 75% of children to reach a good level of development (GLD) by the end of reception year by 2028, we are writing to share two important updates to our RISE offer on reception year quality. These follow our autumn 2025 reception quality webinar series, and an update to our compare your GLD data report, which we made available to all schools, trusts and LAs via View Your Education data in November.

Our landmark schools white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, sets out the importance of great reception practice in supporting both high achievement for all and improved early action on additional needs. Our work on reception will ensure that more children are arriving into reception and transitioning into key stage 1 with strong foundations for achieving high levels of attainment as they progress through school.

Reception networks programme

The Department is pleased to introduce the reception networks programme; a national RISE initiative aimed at improving the quality of reception year and support more children to begin school ready to thrive.

Today we are announcing the names of the lead schools for each network, which will bring together local groups of schools to share evidenced informed reception practice and ensure all children benefit from strong early years provision. 

What reception networks offer

Each network is led by a lead school, selected for its strong and sustained reception outcomes. These schools will work with other schools in their area to:

• facilitate professional discussions about teaching, learning, and leadership in reception
  
  
• host open days and visits so peers can observe high quality reception practice 
  
  
• share resources, tools, and approaches that help strengthen provision across the early years
  
  
• hold regular virtual network meetings to make collaboration accessible, flexible and open to all schools in the network

This collaborative model is designed to complement – rather than replace – existing early years support, including stronger practice hubs, English and maths hubs and the work local authorities are doing to strengthen reception and GLD outcomes as part of the best start in life strategy. It ensures schools can easily access reception specific expertise when they need it.

Lead schools in the South-east

Each region has five reception networks, creating a national network working collectively to raise standards across early years education. The lead schools in the South-east are:

• Front Lawn Primary Academy (The Kemnal Academies Trust)
• Holy Trinity Catholic School, Chipping Norton (The Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Company)
• Marnel Community Infant School (Hampshire Local Authority)
• Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School (Samphire Star Education Trust)
• Theale CE Primary School (West Berkshire Local Authority)

What this means for your school

Every primary school is invited to engage with its local reception network. Whether you’re looking to strengthen practice, build confidence in reception leadership, or simply connect with colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities, the network is here to support you.

The programme is designed for those leading reception as well as for strategic leaders and headteachers. More information on the programme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-networks.

If you would like support engaging with a lead school, please let us know and we will be happy to connect you. You are also welcome to contact any lead school directly. While many schools may wish to link with a lead school in close geographical proximity, you may also choose to engage with a lead school operating in similar context to you own, even if they are based elsewhere in the country. You can contact us at: reception.​beststartinlife@​education.​gov.​uk

Support on assessment

We have also published Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) assessment support for school leaders and practitioners. This aims to support the reliability of their input and build teacher confidence in their role as assessors. It also aims to address common misconceptions of the assessment requirements. The package includes:

• online training materials to support EYFSP assessment (help for early years providers : EYFS profile assessment support), including new written information, bite-size videos and case studies
• EYFSP content in Module 7 of the online early years child development training, plus more reception content to be added from Spring 2026
  

We are also funding local authorities to facilitate EYFSP assessment support for schools and pre-reception settings. These sessions will support practitioners to share best practice and support each other to complete the EYFSP. The first session, delivered by local authorities in the summer term, will focus on professional dialogue, and will be followed by two further sessions in the autumn and spring term.

Together, the reception networks and the EYFSP assessment support are designed to complement existing early years support and strengthen collaboration across the system.

We encourage all schools to make use of these offers to continue improving reception year quality and outcomes for children.

We appreciate your support in promoting the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) assessment package of support.