Ambition Institute to deliver professional development on literacy in Reception

This work is a key part of our long-term commitment to tackling educational disadvantage. Strong early literacy skills are essential for all learning and future achievement, especially for children who face the greatest barriers.

Our programme will provide high quality professional development for teachers and school leaders, focusing on early language and literacy in Reception. Teachers and school leaders will get practical, evidence-informed strategies they can use straight away to support children’s progress. We will be supporting the ongoing development of literacy specialists, enabling them to deliver intensive support and training to schools where it is needed most.

We will work in partnership with English Hubs, building on their proven success in early reading and phonics. We will also collaborate with Speech and Language UK, drawing on their specialist expertise in speech and language development, and with Nuffield Foundation and OxEd. This will help schools achieve strong early outcomes for all children in Reception. Together, we can help every child develop the skills they need to succeed.

Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute, said: “At Ambition Institute, we believe every child deserves the best start in life, whatever their background. When children develop strong literacy skills in the early years, it makes them much more likely to thrive in school and beyond.

Our work with English hubs is part of our wider mission to support teachers and leaders with practical, evidence-informed training, so they can keep getting better and help every pupil develop the essential skills they need.

We look forward to working alongside partners, hub leads and literacy specialists to strengthen early literacy teaching.”

Carol Payne, Deputy Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “Nearly two million children in the UK have speech and language challenges - and in some disadvantaged communities, as many as half start school struggling to talk and understand words.

Add to this the silent developmental language disorder, DLD, crisis which affects two children in every classroom, and the case for acting early becomes unarguable.

That’s why we’re excited to work with Ambition Institute to support the early language and literacy initiatives led by the English Hubs, and to be part of the expansion of the Stronger Practice Hubs - so evidence-based support reaches children before gaps turn into lifelong barriers. We’ve already reached thousands through targeted programmes and training with both networks, and this partnership gives us the chance to scale what works.”

If you are a teacher, school leader or literacy specialist interested in strengthening early literacy, look out for updates on this programme. Together, we can help every child develop the skills they need to succeed.