Research
In 2018, The MTPT Project completed the first study into female teachers aged 30-39 to explore why – since 2017 – they had been the largest demographic to leave the teaching profession every year.
At the time, there existed a significant data void around teacher-parents’ experiences, and a great deal of work was needed to give the parent-teachers in The MTPT Project a voice.
The study, nicknamed Doing the Washing Up Badly, was completed with the intention of gaining the attention of a “proper” think tank or research body and acts as a precursor to the 2024 Missing Mothers report, completed in collaboration with the real, proper think tank, The New Britain Project.
The Missing Mothers report propelled the voice of our parent-educator community into the spotlight of sector conversations and now, exciting research and reporting is creating a clearer picture of the importance of The MTPT Project to our workforce and the quality of education we can provide for our students.
If you are completing an MA, PhD, EdDoc or any other research that has a crossover with the interests of The MTPT Project, and would like to talk about your study, share surveys or support with recruiting qualitative interview participants please get in contact.
Missing Mothers
The 2024 study into female teachers aged 30-39 exploring why they are the largest demographic to leave the classroom every year. As seen on the BBC!
Doing the Washing Up Badly
Further, more detailed reports, from the original 2018 study exploring both why women aged 30-39 leave teaching, and why they remain in the profession. As featured in the TES!
What happens to teachers after maternity leave?
A detailed report from The Key Group exploring the resignation rates and working patterns of female teachers post-maternity leave. As heard on Women’s Hour.
Coaching Impact Report
The findings from our bi-annual survey into the 3-4 year impact of our 1:1 coaching programmes and their impact on retention, progression, wellbeing and working pattern.
2025 Teaching Commission Report
Thanks to our Missing Mothers report, and The Key Group’s maternity research, Returning Mothers gets a whole section in the Teaching Commission’s recommendations to government.
Closing the gender pay gap in education
An essential 2021 report outlining the gender pay gap and the implied impact of the motherhood penalty amongst the 35-39 year old demographic from ASCL, NAHT, NGA and WomenEd.
Teacher Tapp Parental Leave Specials
Teacher Tapp gathered vital data about parental leave and return to work experiences from hundreds of tappers in April 2025, collated into two “special” blogs.
Review of Flexible Working Approaches
The MTPT Project’s 2018 research and interviews are cited in the NFER’s flexible working review, funded by the EEF.
Part-time Teaching and Flexible Working in Secondary Schools
The most recent NFER report focusing on flexible working and its prevalence amongst teachers with caring responsibilities.