DfE Announcements

What is RISE?
RISE is the service to help every school improve. Universal RISE is about making it easier for leaders to find relevant, high-quality resources, facilitating collaboration, and promoting the sharing of effective practice. We want every school to engage with Universal RISE, as a recipient and/or contributor. Universal RISE helps schools to: diagnose their school improvement needs, identify high quality support and implement that support.

Where can I find out more about RISE?
There is more information about RISE at a national level at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/regional-improvement-for-standards-and-excellence-rise-school-support

The programme is a national initiative designed to support schools in improving pupil attendance and behaviour. Led by schools with strong practice, it aims to:
• support school leaders to reflect on current systems
• share effective practice
• implement changes
It is aimed at senior leaders with responsibility for attendance and behaviour who are seeking to strengthen their school’s leadership, culture and systems. You can find further information at: RISE attendance and behaviour hubs programme - GOV.UK,

A list of lead schools is available at: RISE attendance and behaviour hubs programme: lead schools - GOV.UK.

The department has announced a new SEND CPD offer. The published press notice containing further information can be found here: £200 million landmark SEND teacher training programme Key features of the training package include:

• High-quality training materials, developed alongside the sector, and shared with every school and college to support the delivery of training to all staff on SEND and inclusion – ensuring every teacher is reached.

• New, free CPD courses for teachers and leaders in colleges.

• Investment in training for teaching assistants and support staff, developed in collaboration with the sector – ensuring support staff feel equipped and confident to support pupils with SEND.

• A new Early Years Continuing Professional Development programme, providing free, accessible training focused on inclusive practice, child development, and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND – available to all early years practitioners.

The department’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. They have recently worked with school leaders to create new resources for the service, including:

o Creating your own wellbeing charter commitments

o Activating Wellbeing Champions

o Easing the pressure of marking

o Identifying issues using a staff wellbeing survey

The department 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. Schools can also find resources to help request and implement flexible working, including webinars and case studies, developed in partnership with the Flexible Working Ambassador Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools (FWAMS) and flexible working experts. Further details about the programme can be found here: Flexible working in MATs and schools. The contact details of the FWAMS can be found on the ‘About FWAMS’ page on the website.

The DfE has launched new support to help improve reception year quality and strengthen EYFS Profile (EYFSP) assessment. Reception networks are school-led, locally delivered networks focused on sharing strong, evidence-informed reception practice. Each network is led by a Lead School with sustained strengths in early years outcomes and leadership. Through the networks, schools can take part in professional discussions, visit and observe reception practice in action, and access shared approaches that support high quality teaching and leadership. There are five reception networks in each region, as part of the universal RISE offer. Schools can contact their local Lead School to get involved or access support. The DfE has also published a comprehensive EYFSP package of support to improve assessment reliability and build teacher confidence as assessors. This includes online guidance, written materials, exemplification videos and case studies. 

The Improving Education Together initiative has developed new resources to support equality and inclusivity in schools and colleges. The new resources are:
o An outline of schools’ and colleges’ legal responsibilities in relation to workforce equality
o New case studies on pregnancy, post-maternity support and menopause on the Improve Workload and Wellbeing for school staff service
o New studies on menopause support and menstrual wellbeing in FE colleges