Excellence in Reception
The Department for Education is introducing a new, funded specialist training course for reception teachers. Designed by early years professionals, for early years professionals, the “Excellence in reception teaching” national professional development course will deepen participants’ reception-specific pedagogical knowledge and strengthen their practice through practical, evidence-based approaches, supporting more children to achieve a good level of development.
It will focus on the key areas of:
- Child development
- Classroom practice and teaching
- Inclusive practice
- Effective partnerships
The programme takes approximately 2 school terms and consists of 2 x two-hour online events.
It is for teachers who currently, or are shortly expecting to, teach the reception year group and who want to build on their existing reception-specific pedagogy, but are not looking for CPD at a leadership level.
Expressions of interest are open now, with registrations open on Monday 6th July 2026 to join the Spring 2027 cohort with The Golden Thread TSH and Best Practice Network.
Best Practice Network: https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/excellence-in-reception-teaching
