Reception quality webinar series

Series of webinars on RISE reception quality in schools led by senior education sector experts

The Department for Education (DfE) has delivered a series of regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) webinars on reception quality, led by senior sector experts and national leaders on a range of topics. These free webinars support schools, trusts and local authority leaders to improve reception practice to support every child to have the best start in life and increase the number of children who achieve a good level of development (GLD) at the end of their first year in school. 


Autumn 2026 series

Session 1: Creating effective environments in reception

In this session, chaired by Heather Scott, Senior Strategy Advisor in the reception improvement team at DfE, Sue Robb, Professor Sam Wass and school leaders share insights and practical examples of how effective reception environments can support children’s learning and development. The session concludes with a Q&A involving all speakers.

Contributors include:

  • Professor Sam Wass (Director, Institute for the Science of Early Years)
  • Sue Robb (Best Start in Life Champion)
  • Emma Whelam-Tate (Director of Early Years at Northern Lights Learning Trust and Strategic Lead for the RISE Reception Network)
  • Debbie Holmes (Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Lead at Benedict Biscop C.E. Academy)
  • Laura Emery (Assistant Headteacher at Whitkirk Primary School and Trust Early Years Lead for Red Kite Learning Trust)

The session:

  • explores the science behind effective reception environments
  • showcases how Benedict Biscop C.E. Academy uses outdoor provision to develop gross motor skills and support wider learning
  • demonstrates how purposeful indoor provision at Whitkirk Primary School can strengthen fine motor development and create meaningful learning opportunities

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Getting the reception environment right - preparing for a successful year

Session 2: Using your GLD data tool to support reception improvement

In this session, chaired by Heather Scott, Senior Strategy Advisor in the Reception Improvement Team at DfE, speakers from DfE, RISE and the school sector introduce the new good level of development (GLD) data tools and explore how they can be used to support reception improvement.

The session looks at how to interpret findings in the context of individual schools, use data to inform professional dialogue and identify areas for further inquiry, and turn insights into focused improvement activity. It also shares practical examples of how GLD data can be used to review and strengthen reception provision and support continuity into Year 1.

Contributors include:

  • Jessica Watson, Department for Education
  • Narinder Gill, RISE Adviser
  • Donna Kane, Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust
  • Sarah Alderson, Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust

The session:

  • introduces the new GLD data tools and how they can be used to support reception improvement
  • explores how to interpret GLD findings in the context of individual schools
  • considers how data can support professional dialogue and help identify areas for further inquiry
  • explores how insights can be turned into focused improvement activity
  • shares practical examples of how GLD data can be used to review and strengthen reception provision and support continuity into Year 1

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Using your GLD report to support reception improvement


Summer 2026 series

Session 1: Mastering the EYFS profile assessment

In this session Amy Finch, Head of Reception Policy, and Emma Woodshaw, Head of Reception Assessment, Accountability and Data at the DfE, are joined by school and sector experts to strengthen understanding of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile assessment and support consistent, confident judgements.

Contributors include:

  • Emma O’Connor and Sean Parsons from Tollgate Primary School
  • Sally Mayman and Mo Andrews from Jerry Clay English Hub

The session:

  • explains the purpose of the EYFS profile assessment and its role in supporting children’s outcomes and transition into Year 1
  • emphasises the importance of best‑fit professional judgement rather than checklist approaches
  • provides a walkthrough of the latest EYFS profile assessment support materials, including how to access and use them effectively
  • shares practical examples, case studies and videos to illustrate assessment in real classroom contexts
  • demonstrates how schools can embed the materials into professional dialogue, training and day‑to‑day practice to improve consistency
  • offers a focused spotlight on writing, addressing common misconceptions and supporting accurate judgements, particularly for borderline pupils

The session reinforces the importance of professional judgement, highlights practical strategies to build confidence in assessment practice, and signposts further support and upcoming CPD opportunities.

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Session 2: What does great reception practice look like panel session 

In this session, we hear from DfE experts:

  • Sue Robb (Best Start in Life Champion and former reception teacher and primary head)
  • Sir Kevan Collins (Delivery Adviser and former reception teacher)
  • Tim Coulson (Director General, Regions Group and former primary Trust CEO)

They are joined by headteachers and reception teachers to explore how to prepare for high‑quality reception pedagogy and practice for September 2026. Drawing on their experience as practitioners and leaders, contributors share practical insights to strengthen early years provision.

The session:

  • explores why getting reception right is critical to children’s outcomes
  • highlights how leaders can use Good Level of Development (GLD) reports to inform practice
  • examines the distinctive pedagogy of reception
  • shares approaches to effective learning environments, classroom organisation and assessment
  • discusses teaching approaches that support strong early years practice
  • includes contributions from practitioners and leaders to bring real‑world perspectives

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Setting up for Reception Success: Panel with Sue Robb, Sir Kevan Collins & Tim Coulson

Session 3: Supporting smooth transitions into Reception 

In this session, Heather Scott, Senior Strategy Advisor in the reception improvement team at DfE, is joined by Sue Robb, Best Start in Life Champion, and school and early years educators. Drawing on the department’s getting children ready for reception guidance, contributors share practical examples of effective transition practice to help every child have the best possible start.

Contributors include:

  • Louise Smith and Kay Tobin from Evelyn Street Primary Academy
  • Jake Grinsill (Ilsham Church of England Primary School)
  • Camarah Mosey (Thornton Dale Church of England Primary School)
  • Lindsey Dring (Puddleducks Nursery)
  • Amanda Willis (Goosehill Private Nursery)

The session:

  • explores the importance of effective transition in supporting children’s wellbeing, learning and future outcomes
  • highlights the 3 key principles from the getting children ready for reception guidance, working closely with families, building strong partnerships between schools and early years settings, and early identification of need
  • showcases strategies for building strong relationships with children and families before children start reception
  • demonstrates how schools and early years settings can work collaboratively to share information, plan purposeful transition activities and support continuity of learning
  • explores inclusive approaches that help schools understand and respond to children’s individual needs before they arrive
  • concludes with reflections and a call to action, encouraging schools and early years providers to strengthen partnership working and place children and families at the centre of the transition process.

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Supporting smooth transitions into reception - practical examples from our latest guidance


Autumn 2025 series

During the 2025 autumn term, DfE delivered a series of 6 RISE webinars on reception quality led by sector experts, including the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Ofsted and English Hubs.

The aim of these free webinars is to support schools, trusts and local authority leaders to increase the number of children who achieve a GLD at the end of their first year in school.

Session 1: The importance of reception and the data available to support leaders

In this session from September 2025 we hear from DfE experts:

  • Susie Owen, Director of Early Years, Childcare and Families, who outlines the government’s plans to strengthen family services and improve quality in early years, as set out in Giving every child the best start in life
  • Amy Finch, Head of Reception Policy, who introduces the new good level of development tool, now available on the View your education data (VYED) platform, demonstrating how it supports schools and responsible bodies to analyse reception outcomes and identify priorities for improvement
  • Narinder Gill, Director of Leadership and Transformation (Inspiring Generations) and DfE RISE advisor, an experienced school and trust leader who shares how leaders can use the GLD tool to drive meaningful conversations, celebrate strengths and target support effectively

In this webinar, schools were guided to use their GLD data to:

  • reflect on what is working well
  • identify priorities for development
  • collaborate in order to learn

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: The importance of reception and the data available to support leaders

Session 2: Strategic leadership of the early years in school: EEF shares the evidence

In this session from September 2025 we hear from Julian Grenier from the EEF who explains:

  • why a child’s early years are crucial for long-term success
  • how school leaders can turn evidence into action
  • why strategic leadership is key to driving quality and improving outcomes

This session references the Padlet board Strategic leadership of the Early Years in Schools: RISE Summer 2025.

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Strategic leadership of the early years in school: EEF shares the evidence

Session 3: Key messages from Ofsted’s research on strong foundations 

In this session from October 2025, Kirsty Godfrey, a Senior His Majesty’s Inspector at Ofsted, shares findings from Ofsted’s Strong foundations in the first years of school research.  

The session explores how schools can:

  • build firm foundations in early reading, writing and language
  • support children’s executive function
  • adapt teaching for those who need the most help

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Key messages from Ofsted’s research on Strong Foundations

Session 4: Embedding a language-rich environment and supporting early writing 

Adam Harris, Head of Great Heights English Hub, and Joshua Callaghan, Hub Lead at the Arch English Hub, share how strong communication and language foundations drive later attainment, relationships and wellbeing.  

The session from October 2025:

  • introduces practical approaches for creating language-rich classrooms through high-quality adult and child interactions
  • discusses explicit vocabulary teaching and dialogic reading
  • shows how these approaches lay the groundwork for confident early writers through oral composition, transcription and executive function

The English Hubs Early Language Audit is referenced throughout this webinar.

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Embedding a language rich environment and supporting early writing

Session 5: Promoting good attendance routines in reception

In this session from October 2025, Molly Devlin, Director of Early Years at Ark Start, and Swabra Lloyd, Executive Headteacher at Forest Academy, share how strong attendance habits start in reception through clear routines, strong relationships and a shared culture of belonging. 

Drawing on Ark’s six pillars, the session highlights practical strategies and shows how strong leadership, clear expectations and early engagement build strong foundations for good attendance.   

How to watch this YouTube video There's a YouTube video on this page. You can't access it because of your cookie settings. You can change your cookie settings or watch the video on YouTube instead: Establishing strong attendance routines in reception

Session 6: The importance of early maths

Debbie Morgan, Primary Director at National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, and Debbie Sullivan, Assistant Headteacher at St Thomas More Primary, draw on national evidence and classroom practice, highlighting how high-quality early maths teaching focused on number, pattern and spatial reasoning can close disadvantage gaps and support all children to secure strong foundations.

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From: Department for Education

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