RISE Reception Networks Lead School
RISE Reception Networks: Frome Vale Academy is a Lead School
Our assigned Local Authorities: Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire
Frome Vale Academy is a dynamic, vibrant and inclusive school in the heart of its community committed to providing high-quality early education that enables all children to thrive. Supporting a diverse area with a broad range of strengths, challenges and needs, we place an emphasis on nurturing curiosity, independence, a love of learning and explicitly teaching foundational skills from the very start of a child’s school journey so that all children can achieve personally and lead a life of boundless choice and opportunity as global citizens.
Our Reception provision is a key strength, underpinned by a well-established and deliberate curriculum that prioritises early language development and communication, along with a progression of foundational skills. We are proud of our work in early language and oracy, where discretely planned talk opportunities, high-quality questioning and purposeful environments support children to become confident communicators. Our approach to early writing is rooted in the explicit teaching of foundational skills, ensuring children develop strong transcriptional fluency from the outset. We place a clear focus on the robust application of children’s developing phonetic knowledge, carefully scaffolding learning to engineer success for all learners. Through well-sequenced direct teaching, modelling and purposeful opportunities for practice, children build confidence in composing and recording their ideas.
As a Lead School, we offer opportunities for colleagues to observe practice, engage in professional dialogue and collaborate on further improving Reception provision for all of our children. Visitors can expect to see high-quality provision, skilled adult interactions, purposeful learning environments and explicit teaching of skills in action.
To connect with us or explore opportunities, please contact the academy directly via the below contact and e-mail address.
Maria Cerepanova, Vice Principal and RISE Reception Network lead at Frome Vale:
Meet the team
Jan Saunders, Principal at Frome Vale Academy
Jan has been the Principal of Frome Vale Academy since 2014 and also serves as a Senior Principal within the Cabot Learning Federation, where she supports, leads, and line manages other academies. Under her leadership, Frome Vale Academy has achieved sustained improvement, moving from a ‘requires improvement’ judgment to ‘outstanding.’ Jan brings extensive experience as a SENDCo, with a deep understanding of special educational needs and strong connections to local SEND support services, including the portage team. Her knowledge of local feeder settings and close collaboration with their SEND teams further strengthens the academy’s inclusive approach and commitment to meeting the needs of all learners.
Maria Cerepanova, Vice Principal at Frome Vale Academy
Maria is the Vice Principal at Frome Vale Academy, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in primary education. Previously serving as Head of Lower School and Early Years Lead within another CLF setting, Maria has over eight years of experience as a Reading and Writing Lead, alongside her background as a phonics lead and experienced KS1 teacher. She is a CLF Writing Moderator and has played a pivotal role in developing literacy strategies and curriculum across the Trust. Passionate about communication and language development, Maria is the Oracy Lead at Frome Vale Academy, working in partnership with Voice 21 in Frome Vale’s role as an Oracy Centre of Excellence, ensuring that every child has the tools to express themselves confidently and effectively.
Anna Tattersall, EYFS Lead, Artists & Designers Lead and Reception Teacher
Anna is an experienced teacher and leader. Throughout her career, she has successfully led phonics and reading, and she currently leads Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision alongside Art & Design. Having been part of our Trust since completing her teacher training, Anna has developed extensive expertise in supporting children with additional needs and is committed to ensuring every child can thrive and succeed. She is passionate about early years education and believes in building strong foundations for lifelong learning through the teaching of essential skills, high-quality learning environments and meaningful adult-child interactions. Anna is dedicated to creating engaging, nurturing and inspiring experiences that foster children’s curiosity, confidence and love of learning from the very start of their educational journey.
Sophie Worsop, EYFS Lead, Phonics Lead and Reception Teacher – Maternity Leave
Sophie is the EYFS Lead, Phonics Lead, and Reception Teacher at Frome Vale Academy. She brings a wealth of experience in early years education and phonics leadership, alongside a strong background in teaching across KS1 in a variety of settings. Sophie has worked in schools with high levels of deprivation, demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting children with significant SEND needs to thrive in mainstream environments. Her expertise ensures that every child receives a strong foundation in literacy and language, while fostering inclusive and nurturing learning experiences.
What the Reception Network does
The RISE Reception Network is a collaborative professional network that supports schools in developing and strengthening high-quality Reception practice. It provides opportunities for Reception teachers and leaders to work together, share effective approaches, and build their expertise in early years education, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children as they begin their school journey.
This is a new national initiative (from the DfE) designed to strengthen the quality of reception year provision and support more children to begin school ready to thrive. Reception year is a pivotal stage in children’s development—shaping their confidence, curiosity and readiness for learning—and this programme has been created to ensure all schools can access strong, evidence informed practice.
Reception Networks form part of the department’s RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) universal support offer and contribute to the government’s ambition for 75% of children to reach a Good Level of Development (GLD) by 2028, which sits at the heart of the Best Start in Life (BSIL) strategy.
Through regular network meetings, professional discussions, and access to current research and guidance, schools can learn from one another, reflect on practice, and stay informed about developments within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The network promotes a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across schools.
Support and resources available through the network include:
- Opportunities to collaborate and share best practice with Reception practitioners from other schools.
- Access to guidance, professional development, and current EYFS research.
- Practical resources, tools, and example materials to support effective Reception provision.
- Updates on national and local developments in early years education.
- Networking opportunities that enable practitioners to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
- Support in strengthening curriculum design, assessment, transition, and provision for all children, including those with additional needs.
By engaging with the RISE Reception Network, schools can enhance the quality of their Reception provision, develop staff expertise, and create rich learning experiences that support children’s progress, wellbeing, and readiness for future learning.
Schools involved in the RISE Reception Networks benefit from:
- Termly online meetings for discussion, reflection and shared learning
- Half-termly in-person events at Frome Vale Academy, where practice can be seen in action and explored through professional dialogue
- Our reception network supports schools across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire
2026-2027 meetings dates are below:
Virtual Network Dates – online:
12.10.26 @ 4-5.30pm
30.11.26 @ 4-5.30pm
1.2.27 @ 4-5.30pm
8.3.27 @ 4-5.30pm
17.5.27 @ 4-5.30pm
5.7.27 @ 4-5.30pm
In-person visits/Open Days:
10.11.26 @ 8.30 – 11.30
2.3.27 @ 8.30 – 11.30
- 30 – 11.30
Who Can Take Part?
The RISE Reception Networks are open to:
- Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire settings with Reception classes
- Reception class teachers
- Early Years leaders
- Senior leaders responsible for Reception provision and Headteachers/Principals
Schools can join at any point and engage in ways that best suit their context and priorities.
Please complete the below form to be added to our mailing list. All schools on our mailing list will receive termly Virtual Network invitations and agenda, along with signing up opportunities for Open Days, when registration opens for these.
RISE Reception Networks: expression of interest – Fill in form
Have a question? Please get in touch with maria.cerepanova@clf.uk
Here are some links for further reading:
The DfE Reception Improvement Offer, which provides information on support, webinars and guidance for reception provision:
The Reception Networks GOV.UK page
The View Your Education Data (VYED) platform, which provides access to the Compare Your Good Level of Development report and other data tools:
The Compare Your GLD Data guidance, which explains how schools can access and use their Good Level of Development (GLD) report to inform improvement planning:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/compare-your-good-level-of-development-gld-data
Access resources and advice to help improve practice in the early years, including SEND guidance:
Help for Early Years practitioners
Reception Network Resources
We keep everyone in the network up to date by sharing resources via a Padlet. Please find currently available Padlets below.
Virtual Meeting 1 Padlet: Monday 18th May – Positive Transitions
Virtual Meeting 2 Padlet: Monday 6th July – Improvement Planning and Assessment