THE Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has praised the expertise and leadership of Warrington’s Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery following the school’s recruitment into a national initiative to improve education for Reception children.
The Warrington Primary Academy Trust school was selected as a Reception Network Lead School earlier this year and was part of the launch event for the initiative in London at the end of April.
Just five schools in the North West – and 45 schools across England – have been chosen to lead the initiative.
As a Reception Network Lead School, Evelyn Street will offer a range of support to schools across the area so that more children arrive in Reception and transition into Key Stage 1 with the strong foundations they need for high levels of attainment.
The support will include sharing evidence-based resources and approaches with other schools to strengthen early years provision, building networks and hosting open days and visits to demonstrate effective reception year practice.
In her letter Bridget Phillipson wrote: “Your success in a rigorous national selection process reflects the exceptional quality of your reception provision.
“Improving the quality of reception provision is central to our national ambition for at least 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028, an ambition that sits at the heart of both the Best Start in Life (BSIL) strategy and the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellent (RISE) offer.”
She adds: “As a Lead School, you will play a crucial part in helping to create a more connected, coherent early years system. By modelling strong reception practice and supporting other schools, you will contribute to a system in which professional expertise is shared openly and support is easier to access, so that every school can give every child the best start as they transition into and during reception.
“In taking on this role, you join a national network of exceptional schools committed to strengthening early education through collaboration, connection, and community.
“Thank you once again for your commitment to early education and for the leadership you have shown in taking on this role. I look forward to seeing the impact of your work and the difference it will make for children and families across the country.”
Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery is now hard at work encouraging schools across the region to work with them as part of the Reception Network. The first online event for local schools took place on Wednesday (20 May) and there are further dates planned in June and July. The school’s website has also been updated with information on joining the network at https://www.evelynstreetschool.co.uk/hubs/rise-reception-network/
Kay Tobin, Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Foundation Stage Lead at Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery, said: “We were honoured that the Secretary of State personally thanked us for our part in the Reception Network initiative. We’re very excited to finally start work on this project and we are already reaching out to schools and encouraging them to work with us in preparing children to thrive in reception.”
Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery is part of Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT), a community of nine schools in Warrington, Widnes, Cheshire West and Cheshire. WPAT was formed in 2016 and quickly developed a national reputation for excellent standards. WPAT provides staff at all its schools with support, expertise and professional development so they can provide the very best education standards for their children.
Picture shows Kay Tobin, Assistant Headteacher and EYFS Lead at Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery is pictured holding a framed copy of the letter. Standing alongside her is Steph Hutchinson, Project Manager at Generate Teaching Hub, which is part of Warrington Primary Academy Trust.
