01 Leadership
Since returning from the summer break, the DfE have announced a number of new programmes to support the professional development of all staff in schools.
Early Years Support and Development
An additional 18 additional EYSPHs have been been designated by the DfE, reflecting their continued commitment to the Best Start in Life strategy. With the addition of these new hubs, the network has doubled in size from 18 to 36 EYSPHs across England, with at least three hubs in every region. EYSPHs support early years providers to embed evidence informed practice, share expertise, and access high-quality professional development. As part of the expanded programme, hubs will also coordinate the Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers (EYSPA) programme and provide specialist Early Years Learning Leads (EYLLs) in early language, maths, and personal, social, and emotional development. You can find the full list of hubs Sharing evidence-informed best practice to support early years education and childcare | Stronger Practice Hubs
As part of the Best Start in Life strategy, RISE will be leading a number of Reception webinars. they will focus on:
Creating effective and inclusive learning environments – 14th Oct
Using GLD reports to support improvement – 4th Nov
Strengthening practice for children with SEND – 2nd Dec
Register using this link RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series: autumn 2026 by DfE Live Events | Eventbrite
Universal SEND Offer
The DfE have provided 'in-house' SEND training for all schools. These are intended to support leaders, teachers and support staff to develop a shared understanding of inclusion and agree approaches that help learners to belong, achieve and thrive. The materials can be adapted and edited to reflect local needs and priorities. SEND and inclusion training for mainstream schools - GOV.UK
Alongside these new SEND CPD materials, schools can continue to access the Universal SEND Services training programme. New neurodiversity ‘train the trainer‘ materials have been published to support schools to embed a strong understanding of neurodiversity across the whole setting’s approach to inclusion. https://www.wholeschoolsend.org.uk/page/neurodiversity-awareness
RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs
The DfE have announced that registrations are now open for the January 2027 intake of the RISE Attendance & Behaviour Hub programme regional support offer. All mainstream schools are eligible to participate in the regional support offer, including schools currently receiving targeted RISE support. The programme brings together schools from across the region to tackle shared attendance and behaviour priorities through practical, school-led collaboration and peer learning.
Schools joining the programme will benefit from:
High-quality online CPD delivered by sector experts, with 92% of participants in the previous cohort rating the sessions as useful
Exclusive opportunities to visit lead schools and see effective practice in action through in-person open days
Collaborative, solution-focused discussions with schools facing similar challenges across the region
Access to proven strategies and approaches that support sustainable school improvement
Run by schools, for schools, the programme provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, share effective practice and strengthen approaches to attendance and behaviour. Feedback from previous cohorts has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the open day visits as "inspirational" and among the "most useful training" they had received, with the visits achieving an average usefulness rating of 4.76/5.
All interested schools should complete the Expression of Interest Form by 6 November 2026 Microsoft Forms A member of the RISE Attendance and Behaviour Hubs team will then be in touch with further information and next steps.