Evaluation of the Tailored Support Programme: Final Research Report

This document describes a comprehensive evaluation of the Tailored Support Programme (TSP) in England, which aimed to improve teacher recruitment and retention by offering mentoring and professional development to early-career teachers (ECTs). The National Foundation for Educational Research conducted the evaluation using surveys, interviews, and case studies. The TSP was found to have positive impacts on schools, ECTs, and mentors by enhancing knowledge, skills, wellbeing, and career development. System leader support was appreciated for its focus on leadership and recruitment strategies, while mentoring was beneficial but faced time and engagement challenges. The evaluation also emphasized the importance of continued funding for the sustainability of the program's benefits. Additionally, the coaching provided by system leaders was effective in aiding strategy development and progress monitoring, despite some challenges in mentor-mentee matching. The TSP led to improvements in recruitment, with better applicant quality and quantity, and encouraged strategies for teacher wellbeing and workload reduction. Partnerships and networks formed through the TSP enhanced support systems and professional development. While concerns about sustainability due to funding and staffing constraints exist, many leaders plan to continue the practices established by the TSP. Overall, the program contributed positively to school culture, ECT support, and senior leadership development. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Education (DfE)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Process evaluation
• Process methods: Case studies; Individual interviews; Surveys and polling
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: March 2021

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes