A MAJOR national review of reception teaching will get under way at an event in Bradford today.

Lord Robert Winston, TV presenter and leading expert on childhood education, will be the keynote speaker at the education conference, which is being held in the Cedar Court Hotel.

Over 200 early years professionals are expected to attend the event, which has been organised by Yorkshire-based Early Excellence.

‘The Hundred Review’ will look at how children are currently taught in their first year of regular schooling, and end with a report in Spring that will make recommendations to the Government on how children can get the best start.

The Huddersfield-based company was set up by Liz Marsden, a former early years leader at Girlington First School.

The group currently works with 162 schools, children’s centres and nurseries in Bradford. Its review will draw on the experience and expertise of hundreds of early years teachers and practitioners over the coming months.

A report by the Social Mobility Commission yesterday revealed that just 49 per cent of children from low income families in Yorkshire were “school ready” by reception age.

Mrs Marsden, who started her career in Bradford as an NQT at Eldwick First School, said: “I’m delighted we are today launching this national review of early years here in Yorkshire.

“From our early beginnings in Huddersfield in 2000, our aim has been to support schools and teachers to inspire young children and help them to become successful learners.

“Reception is an important year and it has a unique and crucial role in primary education. We feel its important national government policy is shaped by those who work with young children every day, and this is why the idea of The Hundred Review is that it will be shaped by the voices of many hundreds of reception teachers, school leaders and specialists.

“We hope that many teachers in Yorkshire will take part in the review and ensure that expert voices from across the region are being listened to in Westminster and Whitehall.”

Early Excellence currently works with 7,000 schools a year, and the group will work with reception teachers, heads and consultants as part of their review.

To register to take part, visit earlyexcellence.com/hundredreview/

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