RETAIN: A research-informed model of continuing professional development for early career teacher retention

In this chapter, we explore whether RETAIN, a continuing professional development programme (CPD) designed to retain early career teachers (ECTs), offers a potential solution for early career teacher retention. We provide a rationale for the development of RETAIN, identifying shortages in teacher supply and the need to address this. The Education Endowment Foundation, a grant-funder focused on closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupil through research-informed interventions, funded the development of RETAIN, a pilot programme situated in coastal-rural primary schools with high levels of persistent disadvantage in Cornwall, England. The chapter continues with a discussion of the research findings used to inform the key components of the RETAIN model and the methodological approach used to evaluate the findings from the pilot programme. The conclusion is that the RETAIN model does demonstrate, through indicators of impact and longer-term outcomes, promise as a solution for early career teacher retention. The key components of classroom, collaboration, coaching and child – the 4 ‘Cs’ of RETAIN – create a model for CPD that improves teacher self-efficacy through enhancing skills, knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and practice, and that keeps teachers in teaching. We therefore answer the question of the importance of how CPD is delivered: a model of effective CPD