Thousands more children are set to benefit from the government's major school improvement initiative as the RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) programme
significantly expands this week.
Initially launched in 32 schools, the RISE teams will now support more than 200 schools, reaching over 120,000 children. This expansion aligns with the progress of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently moving through the House of Lords. The Bill aims to improve school standards, enhance child safety, and ease financial pressure on families.
Backed by £20 million, RISE is a key part of the government’s Plan for Change, focused on raising school standards across the country. Each participating school could receive up to £100,000 to help boost the quality of education.
Alongside the expansion, the number of expert RISE advisers will almost triple. An additional 45 advisers are starting this week, bringing the total to 65. These advisers, many of whom are academy trust leaders with proven track records in school improvement, have already begun working to drive change.
Currently, over 600 schools in England are classified as 'stuck'—schools that have received consecutive poor Ofsted ratings and are attended by more than 300,000 children. On average, these schools have spent 6.6 years rated below 'good', meaning many children spend their entire primary or secondary education in underperforming environments.
Gaenor Bagley, Chair of Trustees and Dr Karen Roberts, CEO, The Kemnal Academies Trust, whose schools, are receiving RISE support said:
We would like to say, at this juncture and for the record, just how refreshing, different and positive the experience of working with the RISE advisers has been - it really does feel like a genuine partnership.
More widely teams will also work across all schools up and down the country providing a universal service, signposting to best practice and bringing schools together to share their knowledge and innovation, focusing on four national priorities: attainment, attendance, inclusion and reception year quality.
RISE adviser, Dr Herminder K Channa, Oasis Community Learning Regional Director, said:
I am deeply honoured to take on the RISE Adviser role, fully aware of the responsibility it carries. At its heart, RISE reflects a powerful truth: we are stronger when we stand together.
This policy unites us as a sector regardless of trust, local authority, faith or context with a shared commitment to ensure every child can achieve and thrive.
By championing collaboration over fragmentation and support over intervention, RISE unlocks the collective expertise across our system. Together, we can build a future where excellence is not the exception, but the expectation for every school, every teacher, and every child.
RISE adviser, Anita Cliff, Chief Executive Advisor, Manor Multi Academy Trust, said:
I’m privileged to serve as a Regional Improvement Adviser for Standards and Excellence with the Department for Education. This role gives me the opportunity to support schools across the region in removing barriers to achievement—helping to transform children’s life chances and ensure every child can thrive, regardless of background.
RISE adviser, Lee Mason-Ellis, Chief Executive, The Pioneer Academy, said:
RISE is a fantastic opportunity to work across and within our sector, in a collaborative way; to ensure that every child, no matter where they live, receives a good education in strong schools. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this amazing opportunity to improve life chances of our children, across the nation.
I firmly believe that RISE will bring the education sector together, working in partnership, in collaboration – together sharing and problem solving for the benefit of all children across the nation.
To strengthen its engagement with the sector, the Department for Education is also establishing a new RISE operational stakeholder group to help guide the programme’s delivery and ensure sector feedback is incorporated. Photo by Douglas P Perkins, Wikimedia commons.