The ThinkForward pilot RCT found no evidence of impact on GCSE scores, absences, or attitudes¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r1 · q2
Currency · newest study 2016 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The pilot RCT did not find evidence that the ThinkForward programme impacted GCSE scores, absences, or attitudes, with low security due to the small pilot size. → Demack et al. 2016

Evidence¶

Demack et al. 2016¶

Sean Demack, Colin McCaig, Claire Wolstenholme, Anna Stevens and Laura Fumagalli. (2016). ThinkForward: Evaluation report and executive summary. Education Endowment Foundation. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evaluation/projects/think-forward

q2 · i? · causal · r1

A small pilot RCT with randomisation at both school and pupil level across four London secondary schools, with 181 Y11 pupils (40 intervention) and 160 Y10 pupils (37 intervention). The report states the trial "did not find evidence that the programme had an impact on GCSE scores, absences, or attitudes".

"The trial did not find evidence that the programme had an impact on GCSE scores, absences, or attitudes. This was a small pilot RCT so these findings have low security."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• The ThinkForward pilot cost £2426.50 per pupil per year, high compared with other interventions — related
• The process evaluation found ThinkForward feasible to deliver, with teachers reporting benefits for intervention pupils' behaviour — related
• Survey responses showed a sharp decline in aspiration to attend higher education, with only limited evidence of increases in determination and aspiration — related
• The ThinkForward approach was not ready for a large school-level randomised controlled trial — related
• ThinkForward's theory of change holds that a stable relationship with a dedicated coach guides young people towards further education, training and employment — related