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Hayton C of E Primary School is pleased to have been awarded  DfE‑designated Reception Network Lead School status - one of only five schools in the North West to receive this designation.

The Reception Network brings schools together to strengthen reception provision, share effective practice, and improve outcomes for children at this critical stage of their education.

Our Role as a Lead School:

As a designated Lead School, we act as a Regional Hub of expertise for Reception provision in the North West. We compliment the Cumberland Local Authority Early Years Team offer and also collaborate with National Hubs to help maintain consistency and quality across Early Years provision. Our 'main' role is to facilitate expertise through us working, learning and sharing together for all involved to grow stronger - to give every child the best start in life.

 What Schools Gain: 

• Learn from real classrooms
  Termly in‑person visits and open days to observe high‑quality reception practice, environments and interactions in action. 

• Collaborate with peers
  Half‑termly virtual network meetings focused on shared challenges, national priorities and practical problem‑solving. 

• Accessing and sharing resources
  Evidence‑informed tools and exemplars, including planning materials and curriculum guidance developed by schools. 

• Get the right support
  Clear signposting to specialist programmes such as Cumberland Early Years Team, Maths Hubs, English Hubs and NELI, where more targeted support is needed (please see links below).

Why Schools Join:

• Improve Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes
• Strengthen confidence and expertise in Reception teaching and leadership
• Develop stronger transitions into Reception and on to Key Stage 1
• Benefit from school‑led professional development, rooted in real practice
• For MATs: gain external perspectives that complement internal improvement work
• The chance to build professional peer-to-peer relationships over and above local cluster level

Who the Network is for:

• Reception teachers and EYFS leads
• Senior Leaders with responsibility for Early Years
• Schools, School Clusters and Trusts committed to strengthening reception provision 

Get Involved:

Schools interested in joining the Reception Network, or finding out more, can contact admin@hayton.cumbria.sch.uk to register their details on our mailing list.

A programme of activity is currently being finalised and will be shared with registered schools as soon as it is confirmed.

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Autumn Term 2026 dates:

Our Virtual Network Meetings - join online 4pm start:

Tuesday 29th September: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hayton-c-of-e-primary-school-rise-reception-network-virtual-meeting-tickets-1999786500255?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday 24th November: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hayton-rise-reception-network-autumn-2-online-meeting-tickets-2001564430091?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Our Open Day will be:

Wednesday 21st October - 9.15am - 11.30am: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rise-reception-open-morning-hayton-c-of-e-primary-school-tickets-1999790237433?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Open Mornings

We are very excited about meeting you, and we hope this will be the start of a rich and fulfilling journey of working together, learning together and 'growing together for every child's Best Start in Life'.

For more information or an informal chat, please contact us on: risereception@hayton.cumbria.sch.uk

 

DfE RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series – Autumn 2026

 

Following the success of the Summer 2026 RISE Reception Webinar Series, which attracted more than 10,500 live attendees, the DfE have used feedback from participants to shape this new autumn programme. Attendees highlighted a strong appetite for practical support, particularly through case studies, SEND-focused content and examples of effective classroom practice. In response, this series will focus on three key areas of reception provision: creating effective and inclusive learning environments, using Good Level of Development (GLD) reports to support improvement, and strengthening practice for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Each session will combine expert perspectives with practical examples to support reflection, professional dialogue and continuous improvement in reception practice.

 

Find out more and register here: RISE Reception webinars Autumn 2026

       

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Other Lead School in the North West Region: