RISE Reception Showcase

EYFS RISE Showcase at Windhill21

Our recent EYFS RISE Showcase provided an opportunity to share the strength of practice at Windhill21 with visiting schools and professionals. The event was designed to open our doors, demonstrate our evidence-informed approach, and support others in developing high-quality early years provision rooted in systematic skill progression.

The showcase focused on how carefully structured pedagogy, combined with purposeful provision, leads to strong outcomes for all children. Visitors experienced not just what we do, but why we do it, understanding the thinking behind our practice and how it translates into impact for learners.

Key Areas of Practice

The showcase centred around three key areas that underpin our EYFS approach:

1. Dictation That Embeds Strong Writing Skills We shared the pedagogy behind early writing, emphasising that strong writing begins with secure foundations in oral language, phonics, and vocabulary development. Visitors explored how children are supported to:

• Hear and articulate language before writing
• Make secure connections between sounds and letters
• Use and apply vocabulary with increasing confidence
• Engage in structured, meaningful writing opportunities

We also demonstrated how we have adapted The Write Stuff approach to meet the needs of EYFS learners, ensuring it is developmentally appropriate while maintaining high expectations. A key focus was on the role of dictation in strengthening transcription skills and composition, and how this aligns with the Writing Framework and the Strong Foundations document.

2. Purposeful Outdoor Provision to Strengthen Physical Development We explored why physical development is fundamental in the early years, particularly the development of gross motor skills as a foundation for later learning, including writing. Visitors were guided through our outdoor environment, with a focus on:

• Large-scale mark making opportunities
• Large loose parts provision
• Climbing structures and apparatus
• Use of space, such as hills and body boards, to develop coordination and strength

Each area was linked clearly to its pedagogical purpose, demonstrating how intentional design supports children’s development. The impact on children, particularly in confidence, resilience, and physical readiness for writing, was a key discussion point, alongside alignment with national guidance.

3. Embedding a Reading Spine and Poetry to Develop Language We shared our approach to developing vocabulary and oracy through a carefully planned reading spine and daily exposure to poetry. This included:

• A structured approach to daily story reading, with books revisited and rotated to deepen understanding
• Use of a poetry basket to embed rhythm, language patterns, and performance
• Opportunities for children to rehearse and perform, building confidence and expressive language

Visitors saw this in action as children confidently performed poetry, demonstrating the impact of consistent, high-quality language experiences.

Structure of the Showcase

Each session followed a consistent structure to support deep understanding:

• Pedagogy – exploring the theory and research behind the practice
• See it in Practice – observing high-quality teaching and provision in action
• Reflection – considering next steps and how practice could be implemented in visitors’ own settings

This structure ensured that visitors left not only inspired, but equipped with practical ideas and a clear understanding of how to apply them.

Impact on Visiting Schools and Professionals

The impact of the showcase has been significant. Visiting professionals reported increased clarity around what high-quality EYFS provision looks like in practice, particularly in relation to writing, physical development, and language-rich environments.

Many schools have since begun to reflect on and adapt their own provision, using what they observed at Windhill21 as a benchmark for improvement. The opportunity to see practice in action, rather than simply hear about it, was particularly powerful, enabling visitors to make meaningful connections between theory and implementation.

Following the showcase, we have continued to work alongside a number of schools, offering further support, guidance, and collaboration to strengthen their early years provision. This ongoing partnership work reflects the sustained impact of the event beyond the day itself.

Reflecting Excellence at Windhill21

This showcase is a strong reflection of our commitment to excellence in EYFS at Windhill21. Our approach is rooted in evidence-informed practice, high expectations, and a deep understanding of how young children learn best.

The level of interest from other schools, and their desire to learn from our practice, demonstrates the strength and credibility of our provision. We are proud to be a setting that others look to for guidance and support, and we remain committed to sharing our expertise to positively influence outcomes for children beyond our own school.

By combining strong pedagogy, purposeful provision, and a culture of reflection and collaboration, we continue to strive for excellence and lead practice within the early years sector.