DfE-approved CPD & support

The DfE, in partnership with the Chiltern Learning Trust and Chartered College of Teaching, has published online resources to help all school and college staff, including trainee teachers, to use AI safely and effectively.

The resources include a toolkit for all educators, offering support to understand and interact with AI, how to use it safely and some potential use cases. To supplement these materials, the Chartered College of Teaching has also published a collection of case studies from primary, secondary and special schools, academy trusts and colleges.

Link: Using AI in education settings: support materials

In December 2025 the DfE published information for school leaders about the RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme, its benefits and support, and how to join.

To join the RISE Attendance & Behaviour Hubs programme and receive support, register your interest via this online form.

Support pathways

Lead schools will deliver two support pathways:

1. Enhanced support: this pathway is for schools which want and need more concerted support for attendance and behaviour. Eligible partner schools will receive 10 days of support over 3 terms from their allocated lead schools. This support will be based around helping the partner school understand its attendance/behaviour strengths and areas for development, as well as developing and implementing an improvement plan. 

2. Regional support: eligible partner schools will have access to a structured attendance and behaviour CPD offer, opportunities to visit the allocated lead school as part of a series of termly open day events, and opportunities to discuss and share effective practice with other schools in the hub. Each lead school will facilitate a network of 30-40 partner schools as part of this pathway. 

In addition to these pathways, the DfE will continue to deliver universal support and resources for attendance and behaviour for all schools through national best practice webinars, published effective practice, data tools and guidance. All resources will be made available on GOV.UK. 

Details of lead schools will be shared in the new year, when they have been confirmed.

Link: RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs programme

English Hubs, based in 34 primary schools across the country, are reading and literacy champions, supporting schools in their local area with the teaching of phonics and early reading. This academic year, English Hubs are hosting a series of free webinars to support schools to implement the DfE's writing framework, which was published in summer 2025. It provides guidance for primary school teachers and leaders on planning and teaching writing effectively. For further details or to register for upcoming sessions, please contact your local English Hub. 

Link: English Hubs and the writing framework

In July 2025, the DfE announced that a UK-wide National Year of Reading will be launching in 2026. The theme is 'Go All In' – inspiring people across the nation to discover that whatever they are passionate about, there is a book for it. Working with the National Literacy Trust and partners, there will be a year of events, practical resources, and expert support to make reading come alive in the classroom. 

The programme has dedicated support and resources for early years, primary, and secondary phases, all led by experts. Every half-term, individuals can join ‘Go All In Together’ live broadcast events featuring nationally renowned authors and celebrities, plus expert-led webinars and events. These resources support lessons and conversations around reading. This will help to bring reading to life, without adding to workload. Dates and sign-up details will be announced soon - schools can register for updates on the National Year of Reading website to stay informed. You can watch the National Literacy Trust video for each phase to find out more about the National Year of Reading: Overview, Early years, Primary, Secondary.

Link: National Year of Reading

The DfE has partnered with FFT to create a new CPD programme, Unlocking Reading. This free opportunity is designed to help state-funded secondary schools build their knowledge, confidence and skills in supporting struggling readers, as well as embedding a whole-school approach to improving reading and attainment. 

The programme launches in January 2026, with the opportunity for two staff members from each state funded secondary school to attend and network at a local in-person training session. This will be followed by access to a range of supporting online training modules tailored for school leaders, teachers and teaching assistants which all staff can access. We encourage applications from staff across a wide range of disciplines, not just English teachers, as this CPD has been developed to support whole-school approaches to reading. You can register your interest at Unlocking Reading - FFT. 

Link: Free CPD for Secondary reading - Unlocking Reading

This DfE-funded programme offers free online support for schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) to adopt and develop flexible working practices.

The programme provides free ad hoc and bespoke peer support from ten ambassador schools. Specialist ambassadors can also provide tailored support to schools in areas of high disadvantage, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools and alternative provision (AP) and pupil referral units (PRU) settings.

You can also find resources to help request and implement flexible working, including webinars and case studies developed in partnership with the DfE's flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) and flexible working experts. 

Read further details about the programme here and find contact details of the FWAMS.

Link: Flexible Working programme - live until 31 March 2026

The DfE's Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff service contains a range of supportive resources for schools to review and reduce workload, and improve staff wellbeing. DfE has recently worked with school leaders to create new resources for the service, including:

• Creating your own wellbeing charter commitments
• Activating Wellbeing Champions
• Easing the pressure of marking
• Identifying issues using a staff wellbeing survey

DfE are keen for any feedback from the sector, which can be provided using their feedback form, or any ideas that can be developed for future updates on the service. 

Link: Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff service

The Disadvantage Network is hosting a number of events in March 2026 to showcase effective practice in Reception Year. The following showcases are free to attend (max 2 per school) and will take place across the East of England region. Each will cover 2-3 areas of practice. See the registration links for full details:

Reception Year Quality Showcases (March 2026) flyer

More dates will be released soon.

Further resources are available from the DfE website:

• DfE Reception Quality Webinar Series - Autumn 2025
• DfE Reception Improvement Offer

Link: Reducing the Disadvantage Gap: Reception Year Quality Showcases

The East of England Teaching Exchange, funded and initiated by the Department for Education through the RISE programme, brings together schools, trusts and leaders into a connected regional network, supporting collaboration and shared learning alongside practical KS2 support. 

Through high-quality, expert-led webinars, online resources and access to teaching hubs, you will gain focused guidance, proven strategies and ready-to-use ideas to support pupils preparing for SATs. Every session is designed to share ideas, cut through the noise, sharpen priorities and build confidence, so you leave knowing exactly what to focus on and how to apply it in the classroom. 

Sessions have been designed to be role-specific for teachers, subject leads and headteachers, focusing on practical, immediately useable support.

Find out more:

• Upcoming webinars
• On-demand practical resources
• Find out more about the KS2 Attainment Network
• Sign up for a KS2 Attainment Network event

Link: KS2 Attainment Network: The RISE East of England Teaching Exchange

The KS4 Attainment Network aims to connect schools, trusts and leaders through collaborative, themed conferences that focus on practical solutions for long-term impact. The conference series is designed to share proven strategies, resources and expert insights that help schools tackle key challenges in raising attainment.

 Upcoming events:

• Getting reading right in Key Stage 3 (12 March 2026): this event focuses on investing in Key Stage 3 with a focus on the teaching of reading.
• Designing and delivering great professional development (24 March 2026): we know that long-term improvement is about investing in improving teachers over the long term. This conference focuses on how to design and deliver truly impactful CPD. 

Book a place at a KS4 conference

Link: KS4 Attainment Network