Last week, thousands of 11-year-olds across the country took their SATs, and classrooms carried far more than test papers. Behind every pupil was a network of teachers, leaders and school staff who worked tirelessly to help children feel prepared, confident and supported at an important moment in their education journey.
That shared sense of responsibility sat at the heart of the RISE East of England Teaching Exchange.
Funded through the Department for Education’s RISE programme, the initiative brought together schools, trusts, dioceses, local authorities and subject hubs through one simple but powerful belief: when schools work together, children benefit.
Since launching in December 2025, the programme has connected teachers, subject leaders and school leaders from across the country through a growing programme of practical, evidence-informed professional development designed to strengthen Key Stage 2 outcomes and support pupils in the lead-up to SATs.
And throughout the programme, one message surfaced again and again from schools:
“We’re in it together.”
Built through partnership working between schools, trusts, dioceses, local authorities and subject hubs, the programme was designed to give schools practical, evidence-informed support that could be applied immediately in classrooms. At its heart is a simple but important principle: schools learn best when they learn together.
Through professional dialogue, shared problem-solving and the open exchange of effective practice, the programme has created opportunities for colleagues across the sector to connect, reflect and strengthen outcomes for children. Alongside this, The Teaching Exchange set out to:
- Raise Year 6 attainment, particularly for disadvantaged pupils
- Increase engagement with support available through English and Maths Hubs
- Build a sustainable professional network beyond the initial programme
- Provide accessible, high-quality professional development rooted in classroom practice
How the Network Worked in Practice
The Teaching Exchange operated through a collaborative, partner-led approach to planning and delivery, bringing together expertise from across the education sector to support schools during the lead-up to SATs. In total, the programme was supported by 16 organisations within the advisory group and 7 delivery partners.
Alongside a programme of free live webinars and online training, a dedicated microsite acted as a central hub for schools, offering event registration, downloadable classroom resources, on-demand webinar content, leadership development opportunities and access to wider English and Maths Hub support.
Website: https://eastenglandteaching.org/
The webinar programme itself reflected the breadth of expertise across the partnership. VNET Education CIC delivered sessions supporting senior leaders and headteachers, while Life Education Trust led webinars for English subject leaders. HFL Education and Matrix Maths Hub provided support for maths subject leaders, and REAch2 Academy Trust delivered sessions focused on supporting Year 6 teachers in the lead-up to SATs.
HEARTS Academy Trust delivered webinars focused on supporting disadvantaged pupils, while Vine Schools Trust Diocese of Chelmsford and HEARTS Academy Trust worked together to support Year 5 and Year 6 classroom practitioners preparing pupils for Year 6 success.

Programme Impact
The Teaching Exchange has achieved significant engagement across the East of England and beyond:
- 36 live webinars delivered
- 2,236 webinar tickets booked
- 776 organisations reached
The programme attracted participation from class teachers, English and maths leaders, senior leaders and headteachers, reflecting both the relevance of the content and the shared commitment across the sector to improving outcomes for children.
Feedback From Schools
Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the practical nature of the sessions and the immediate impact on school improvement planning and classroom practice.
Of the 442 feedback responses received:
- 247 attendees said sessions were “Very useful” and would inform future actions
- 169 said sessions were “Useful” and provided key messages and ideas to take away
- Only 4 respondents reported that sessions were not useful
The feedback reflected the different ways schools engaged with the programme, from teachers looking for reassurance and practical classroom support to leaders considering how to strengthen provision across their schools.
For some attendees, the sessions provided confidence and guidance at an important point in the year. When asked about their key takeaways, one Year 6 teacher from Norfolk shared:
“Everything! I am a new Year 6 teacher.”
For school leaders, the webinars offered clear strategies to take back into wider school planning. Reflecting on the impact of one session, a headteacher from Essex commented:
“Key subject areas to focus on, gap analysis and accountability lower down the school. Thank you – this was a very useful session. Lots to share with my Year 6 team, subject leads and staff.”
Others highlighted practical approaches they planned to use immediately in the classroom. An English leader from Essex reflected:
“I love the idea of modelling how to answer a reading test, like how you would model writing.”

Gill Ellyard, Director of Transformation, REAch2 Academy Trust and Chair of the East of England Teaching Exchange Steering Committee shared her thoughts on the programme and its impact: “The RISE East of England Teaching Exchange programme has been a highly effective way of reaching a wide and diverse audience of educational professionals across the region. The shared expertise, generosity, and commitment of so many colleagues created a strong collaborative foundation, enabling this ambitious programme to operate successfully throughout the Spring term. Participants benefited from access to high-quality, evidence-informed practice, as well as practical strategies they could immediately apply within their own settings.
Importantly, the programme demonstrated how collaboration at scale can drive meaningful professional development in a sustainable and cost-effective way. By drawing on the strengths already present within the sector, it empowered educators to lead and learn from one another, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement. Overall, the Teaching Exchange has been a powerful model for supporting professional growth, improving outcomes, and building lasting partnerships across the East of England.”
Looking Ahead
The success of the RISE East of England Teaching Exchange highlights the value of connected professional learning rooted in collaboration, openness and real classroom practice.
By bringing together expertise from across trusts, schools and education organisations, the programme has supported hundreds of professionals while strengthening relationships and professional networks across the region and beyond.
Should the initiative continue, the focus will remain the same: creating accessible, practical and high-quality support that helps schools improve outcomes for children and gives educators the opportunity to learn from one another.