DfE 'RISE' Reception Network
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.
Summer Term 2026 dates:
Our Open Mornings
On Wednesday 3rd June 2026 we will be holding our first 'RISE Reception Network Open Morning'. This being our first Open Morning, and with the RISE Reception Network being in its infancy, this is an ideal time for you to come and see what this is all about and help shape the network's future to support your needs.
Whether you want to come and experience a different type of provision to your own school so you can better audit your current provision or you are at the start of a journey to improving your Early Years as a school development priority to increase your GLD – or anything in-between – we would love to meet you and chat with you.
There will be lots of time given to discussing what the RISE Reception Network is and isn't, what you would like to get out of the network if you choose to join, and ideas for future visits, meetings, training, support and resources.
We would also like to give teachers the optional opportunity to be able to moderate, alongside non-judgemental peers, their EY outcomes. If you would like to take part in this, please let us know on the registration form and then bring along with you your evidence and work from the children you would like to talk about.
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
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or scan the QR Code:
Other Lead School in the North West Region:
- All Souls Church of England Primary School (Rochdale Local Authority)
- Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery (Warrington Primary Academy Trust)
- St Thomas’s CofE Primary School (Westmorland and Furness Local Authority)
- Rimrose Hope CofE Primary School (Sefton Local Authority)