In recent years, Shackleton Primary School in Bedford, part of HEART Academies Trust, has seen more children arriving in Reception at a lower developmental level than is expected for their age. Sadly, ...

The pandemic has held back the learning of the youngest schoolchildren. A recent report has found that children in year one in the 2020-2021 academic year—those who had missed significant periods of ...

As the new school year starts, we want to celebrate the start of the learning journey for the newest additions. We’re inviting schools to send us their Reception class photos to mark this important ...

Schools are "picking up the pieces" as more children start reception without key skills such as speaking in full sentences or using the toilet independently, teaching unions have told the BBC. A third ...

The Leader's First Days of School reception photos have returned for 2026 with the fourth in a series of five galleries.

Children entering the school system are increasingly unprepared to spend their first chunk of time away from home. That means extra workload for teachers and their assistants, changing nappies, doing ...