Guidance

Reception networks

Published 12 March 2026

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-networks/reception-networks

What reception networks are 

Reception networks are part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy and the regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) universal offer to help schools improve the quality of reception-year provision.

They are school-led, locally delivered networks focused on sharing strong, evidence-informed reception practice. 

Each network is led by a reception-network lead school. Lead schools have sustained strengths in early years provision and leadership, and support other schools in their local area. 

Through reception networks, schools can access: 

  • regular opportunities to discuss reception-year practice with peers 

  • visits and open days to observe reception provision in practice 

  • shared resources and approaches that support high-quality reception teaching and leadership

Reception networks and their lead schools

There are 5 lead schools in each region. Contact a lead school direct if you wish to get involved or access support from the network.  

East Midlands 

  • Cotgrave Candeleby Lane School (Flying High Trust) 
  • Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy (The Mead Educational Trust) 
  • St Thomas CofE Primary Academy (Infinity Academies Trust) 
  • Waddington All Saints Academy (LEAD Academy Trust) 
  • Wootton Park School (Wootton Park Academy Trust) 

East of England 

  • Barons Court Primary School and Nursery (Learning in Harmony Multi Academy Trust) 
  • Harris Primary Academy Mayflower (Harris Federation) 
  • The Oaks Primary School (Asset Education) 
  • The Wickford Church of England School (Hearts Academy Trust) 
  • Winyates Primary School, Spirit Federation (Peterborough Local Authority) 

London 

  • Ark King Solomon Academy (Ark Schools) 
  • Charles Dickens Primary and Nursery School (The Charter Schools Educational Trust) 
  • Davies Lane Primary School (Arbor Academy Trust) 
  • Rockmount Primary School (Croydon Local Authority) 
  • Tollgate Primary School (The Boleyn Trust) 

North East 

  • Benedict Biscop CE Academy (Northern Lights Learning Trust) 
  • Greenside Primary School (Gateshead Local Authority) 
  • Malvin’s Close Academy (Wise Academies) 
  • Oakdene Primary Academy (The Enquire Learning Trust) 
  • Sugar Hill Primary School (County Durham Local Authority) 

North West

  • All Souls Church of England Primary School (Rochdale Local Authority) 
  • Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery (Warrington Primary Academy Trust) 
  • Hayton CofE Primary School (Cumberland) 
  • Rimrose Hope CofE Primary School (Sefton Local Authority) 
  • St Thomas’s CofE Primary School (Westmorland and Furness Local Authority) 

South East 

  • Front Lawn Primary Academy (The Kemnal Academies Trust) 
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School, Chipping Norton (The Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Company) 
  • Marnel Community Infant School (Hampshire Local Authority) 
  • Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School (Samphire Star Education Trust) 
  • Theale CE Primary School (West Berkshire Local Authority) 

South West 

  • Broadclyst Community Primary School (Cornerstone Academy Trust) 
  • Frome Vale Academy (Cabot Learning Federation) 
  • Greenfield E-ACT Primary Academy (E-ACT) 
  • Marine Academy Primary (The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust) 
  • Zouch Academy (The White Horse Federation) 

West Midlands

  • Billesley Primary School (The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust) 
  • Co-Op Academy Glebe (The Co-Operative Academies Trust) 
  • Lea Forest Primary Academy (Lift Schools) 
  • Montgomery Primary Academy (Lift Schools) 
  • Ryders Hayes School (Primary Learning Trust) 

Yorkshire and Humber 

  • Beech Hill School (The Family of Learning Trust) 
  • New Mill Infant School (Learning Accord Multi Academy Trust) 
  • Outwood Primary Academy Woodlands (Outwood Grange Academies Trust) 
  • Thornton Dale CofE Primary School (Elevate Multi Academy Trust) 
  • Whitkirk Primary School (Red Kite Learning Trust) 

How reception networks fit with other support 

Reception networks complement existing early years support, including stronger practice hubs and other local and regional offers. They do not replace existing networks, and existing networks or organisations may also wish to contact lead schools to explore opportunities for collaboration.  

The programme focuses specifically on reception year and supports collaboration across the early years system, including transitions into school.

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