Excellence in Reception Teaching

We are delighted to launch this new 20 week course, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). Part of the Better Start in Life Strategy, this programme has been carefully designed to develop the skills and knowledge of Reception class teachers.

Click below to register with the DfE. You will need to choose The Church of England as your lead provider.

Register with DfE

About

  • This course is suitable for:

    • Experienced Reception teachers in schools (please note, this course is not suitable for those in their first two years of teaching, e.g. ECT years)

    • Teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) who are currently a class teacher (full or part-time)

    • Teachers currently teaching Reception, or those who know they will be teaching Reception from September 2026

    • Teachers working in any school setting, including maintained schools, academies, free schools, Church of England and Catholic schools, and schools without a religious affiliation

    • Teachers working in mixed-age classes (e.g. Nursery/Reception, Reception/Year 1, or Reception/Year 1/Year 2), with a dedicated course route available

    Please note: while delivered by the Church of England, this course does not include a faith-based component and is open to all.

    • DFE scholarship funding to cover all course fees for teachers in maintained schools and academies in England.

    Funded places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • While places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, priority will be given to:

    • Teachers currently teaching Reception

    • Teachers due to teach Reception from September 2026

    Initially, we will prioritise one funded place per school. If staffing changes after allocation (e.g. a different teacher takes over the Reception class), please contact us and we will do our best to support you.

    Due to high anticipated demand, a waiting list will be in place once funded places are filled.

    Schools may choose to self-fund additional places at a cost of £650 per participant.

Course delivery

The course is delivered fully online.

Participants will join one of six regional groups:

  • South West

  • South East and London

  • Midlands

  • North East

  • North West

  • Yorkshire (Doncaster)

A dedicated group will also be available for teachers working in mixed-age classes.

When completing the application form, please select the region closest to your home. If you teach a mixed-age class, you may choose either your regional group or the mixed-age group.

We will aim to allocate you to your preferred group; however, due to demand, this may not always be possible. As the course is fully online, no travel will be required.

Delivery partners

  • London Diocese (London and South East)

  • EQUA MEAD (South West)

  • Redhill Teaching School Hub (Midlands)

  • Northern Lights Teaching School Hub (North East)

  • Manchester Diocese (North West)

  • Exceed Learning Partnership (Yorkshire – Doncaster)

  • Learn AT (mixed-age groups across England)

Course content

The course is structured around four key modules:

1.     Child Development

2.     Classroom Practice

3.     Inclusive Practice

4.     Effective Partnerships

A strong focus on inclusion and SEND runs throughout all modules.

Get in touch

For more information, get in touch via the link below.

Email us