RISE: Strengthening Teaching, Learning and Outcomes across the East of England
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Every child deserves access to a great education, regardless of where they live or the challenges they face. That ambition sits at the heart of the Department for Education's Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme, which is bringing together expertise from across the education sector to support schools in delivering sustained improvement in teaching, learning and pupil outcomes.
RISE draws on evidence-informed practice, system leadership and school-to-school support to help schools strengthen what happens in classrooms every day. By connecting schools with proven approaches, expert practitioners and high-quality professional development, the programme aims to reduce educational inequalities and improve outcomes for children and young people, particularly those facing disadvantage.
Across the East of England, there are a wealth of opportunities for schools to access support, collaborate with peers and learn from effective practice taking place across the region.
A Regional Offer Supporting Every Phase - from Early Years to KS4
⭐Early Years: Reception Network & Disadvantage Network
The DfE's Reception Networks bring together Early Years leaders and practitioners to explore evidence-informed approaches that improve outcomes for children in the Reception Year, particularly those affected by disadvantage. Through school visits, collaborative networks and the sharing of effective practice, participants gain practical strategies to strengthen teaching, learning and school readiness, helping more children make a successful start to their education. Find out more about the Reception Network for Essex here.
The Early Years Disadvantage Network focuses on reducing the disadvantage gap before children reach Key Stage 1. Through a series of regional Reception Quality Showcase events, practitioners can visit schools, see effective practice in action and explore evidence-informed approaches to language development, early literacy and school readiness.
Upcoming Reception Quality Showcase events:
- Crabtree Infants' School – 1 December 2026
- Waulud Primary School – 1 December 2026
- Trumpington Park Primary School – 2 December 2026
- Beckers Green Primary School – 9 February 2027
- Trumpington Park Primary School – 10 February 2027
- The Oaks Primary School – 23 February 2027
- Wymondham College Prep School – 10 March 2027
- Windhill21 – 11 March 2027
- Katherine Semar Infant School – 17 March 2027
More events will be announced throughout the year. Full details can be found on our RISE page.
⭐Key Stage 2: Improving Teaching and Learning Through Collaboration
The RISE East of England Teaching Exchange (Key Stage 2 Attainment Network) brings together schools across the region to strengthen teaching, curriculum implementation and pupil outcomes. Through a series of live webinars, leaders and teachers can access practical, evidence-informed approaches to improving attainment in reading, writing and mathematics while addressing persistent gaps in outcomes. There is also a rich Resources bank, which includes recordings of all previous webinars, and on-demand practical resources.
⭐Key Stage 3: Building Strong Foundations for Secondary Success
The new national KS3 Alliance focuses on the vital Key Stage 3 phase, bringing together schools and system leaders to strengthen curriculum, teaching and learning, transition and pupil engagement. By creating opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of effective practice, the alliance aims to ensure that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive throughout their secondary education.
⭐Key Stage 4: Raising Achievement and Expanding Opportunities
The Key Stage 4 Attainment Network has been established to support schools in the crucial examination years. This group focuses on on evidence-informed approaches to curriculum delivery, attendance, engagement and attainment, helping more young people achieve strong outcomes and leave school equipped for further education, employment and training.
In 2026-27, the network is delivering a series of four short courses alongside seven standalone sessions, each focusing on key areas of school improvement. These offer practical, research-informed insights into current school challenges, providing opportunities to explore strategies, share experiences, and apply learning directly within your own setting.
Why Get Involved?
The strength of RISE lies in a simple principle: the best school improvement happens when schools learn with and from one another.
Whether you are a classroom teacher looking for practical strategies, a middle leader seeking to strengthen provision, or a senior leader focused on improving outcomes across your school, the East of England RISE offer provides opportunities to access proven practice, engage with current evidence, collaborate with experienced colleagues and contribute to a growing network of professionals committed to improvement.
By participating in professional networks, showcase events and collaborative improvement programmes, schools gain access to fresh ideas, specialist expertise and effective approaches that can make a tangible difference to teaching, learning and pupil outcomes. At the same time, they have the opportunity to share their own successes and contribute to building collective capacity across the region.
We encourage schools, trusts, leaders and teachers to explore the opportunities available through RISE. Together, we can strengthen practice, build meaningful partnerships and improve outcomes for every child and young person across the East of England.
For details of RISE support nationally and across the East of England, visit our RISE page.