Knowsley Council’s Early Years Development Project, delivered in partnership with Early Excellence, has driven significant improvements in EYFS practice and outcomes across 49 primary schools and one special school. Responding to the challenges of high levels of disadvantage, SEND, and children entering school below age-related expectations, the project focused on enhancing learning environments, strengthening leadership understanding of effective EYFS practice, and developing a consistent approach across the borough. Through keynote conferences, targeted training, leadership webinars, network support, and bespoke consultancy visits, schools were equipped with the knowledge and confidence to transform provision and improve teaching and learning. The impact has been substantial, with Knowsley achieving the highest increase in Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes across North West local authorities, alongside notable gains in staff confidence, quality of provision, communication and language development, and children’s engagement, independence, and readiness for future learning.
Contextual Information
Contextual InformationKnowsley is based in the North West of England. The Borough is made up of 49 Primary Schools and 1 Primary Special School. The majority of the schools have both Nursery and Reception classes. In most of the schools, children start in the EYFS with skills and knowledge that are below expectations for their age. In the majority of the schools, the percentage of children with Pupil Premium and SEN are higher than the national average.
The Bespoke EYFS Improvement Consultancy Plan:
- 2 conference events with:
- Early Excellence keynote speeches on improving practice through high-quality provision
- A copy of an Early Excellence Provision Guide per school
- An opportunity to explore the Early Excellence interactive learning environment
- Ongoing support for all schools including:
- Bitesize webinars for Senior Leaders on key areas of EYFS practice
- Recorded inputs for use at EYFS Network Meetings
- Access to recording of ‘Leading the EYFS with Confidence’
- Access to recorded core webinar training
- Additional support for 10 schools including:
- Two consultancy visits per school
- Clear structured advice for improvement
- Meetings with both Senior Leaders and the wider EYFS Teams to ensure consistency and clarity of vision
- Notes of Visit Record
Project Intent & Implementation
“I was delighted to work in partnership with Julie Peach, the Literacy Strand Lead through the Knowsley Education Priority Area Plan, to put this incredibly impactful project together.
This was a real collective effort involving Early Years Lead Teachers and all practitioners in schools. The key driver was to raise both the quality of practice and outcomes for EYFS children across the authority. We agreed the project should include a combination of conference events, training, network meetings and school visits in order to deliver on the key priorities of…
- Raising the quality of EYFS learning environments across Knowsley primary schools
- Improving Senior Leaders’ knowledge and understanding of effective EYFS practice and provision
- Ensuring a consistent understanding of effective EYFS practice and provision across all Knowsley primary schools
- Placing a focus on how to effectively support the development of communication and language skills in the EYFS
Curriculum Consultant Andy Burt and Associate Consultant Lynda Trueman implemented the project that has spanned two academic years, which initially launched at a large conference event held in Knowsley, where Andy Burt delivered a keynote speech for Headteachers, School Leaders and EYFS Leads.
We are thrilled to have been part of such an important development journey that has truly made a positive difference to the children of Knowsley!”
Nikki Walters, Head of School Services, Early Excellence
“We are absolutely overjoyed to hear such resounding feedback about this work and the phenomenal impact of the project!”
Evaluating the Impact
How effective was the Training & Support across Knowsley Primary Schools?
“Following the project, Knowsley Council announced that they had achieved the highest local authority increase in Good Level of Development (GLD) results of all 24 North West Local Authorities and the third largest increase for Free School Meal pupils.
Considering the 10 schools which received two consultancy visits, 9 recorded increases in GLD.
The partnership with Early Excellence will continue for a second year – with a focus on early writing development and continued school visits.”
What was the impact on Teaching & Learning at Park Brow Primary School?
“The support we received from Lynda was really bespoke to us! Our setting is unique – our children and our context is very different from other schools, as are our areas of provision. The fact that Lynda’s advice met the needs of our children was hugely important.
Working with Lynda was amazing! Upon exploring our setting, she swiftly identified key areas that were quick wins that we could fix ourselves.
There has been significant impact for our children, particularly their GLD, which increased by 10%!”
What was the impact on Teaching & Learning at Our Lady’s School in Prescot?
“The biggest impact we’ve seen is in the knowledge and understanding of our staff.
They now know what belongs in each of the provision areas. Importantly they can talk about why it is there and how they can use with the resource to support learning.
The adults feel more confident when engaging in play with the children and in moving learning forward. We had quite a lot of new staff to the EYFS and they were unsure in their role – the difference in them is huge!”
What was the impact at Stockbridge Village Primary School?
“Lynda helped us to develop a shared understanding! The Senior Leaders, EYFS Lead and EYFS team have crystalised a vision for the learning environment.
Now, each provision area maximises the potential for learning and supports the Characteristics of Effective Learning.
Everybody who has visited the school now comments that the children are calm, engaged and engrossed in their learning!”
What was the impact on Teaching & Learning at West Vale Primary School?
“Our GLD has gone from just below 40% to 70%, which is amazing and above the national average!
The training and support that we had from Andy was so practical and manageable – the staff were really able to take it on board and implement it!
I feel very proud of the improvement in the confidence of our staff, and the positive impact this has had on the children in our EYFS.”
What was the impact on Teaching & Learning at St Albert’s Primary School?
“Andy has really helped the Senior Leadership Team and EYFS Leader to create a clear vision for effective EYFS practice.
Andy’s responsive work with the EYFS team within the classrooms has improved the quality of provision and practice and bought a greater consistency in approach.
Learning outside is much better! The children are thinking, talking and exploring much more – it’s a massive, massive improvement.”
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