INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING - (ITT)

TRAIN TO TEACH WITH US AT THE LION ALLIANCE

WHY THE LION ALLIANCE?

The Lion Alliance is committed to providing high quality teacher training that supports individuals in inspiring children to learn in modern day school settings. We do this through a variety of courses that are tailored to each person.

We’re proud to share:

 

2023-24
PGCE Cohort


100%

recommendation rate
for
 the Lion Alliance

 

 

2023-24
PGCE Cohort


100%

employment rate
(for those seeking employment in education at this time)

 

 

2023-24
PGCE Cohort


39%

secured jobs within our 
partner schools

 

PRELUDE

Teaching today is something that is challenging; we hold no illusions that the journey is easy, but for many it is vastly rewarding. Our aim is to nurture and support those individuals to overcome the challenges and become excellent teaching professionals that love their job.

WHY CHOOSE THE LION ALLIANCE? WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

To begin with our Alliance is led by a small, but perfectly formed duo – Alexandra (the Head of the Alliance) who is an experienced English teacher and Senior Leader passionate about staff development and educational research, alongside Sean (Alliance assistant) who is highly organised and informed, always on hand to answer trainee queries and a listening ear.

Given this very intimate and friendly team, we are part of a trainee’s journey from the very start; recruiting, training and developing teachers continuously through a supportive ITT programme. This has evolved over the years into something that we’re really proud to deliver. We regularly receive excellent feedback (including a 100% recommendation rate, 2023) which you can find on our ‘Trainee Testimonials’ page, showing just how passionate both we and our trainees are whilst with the Lion Alliance.

We ensure we work closely with ‘Our University Partners’ to design and deliver an effective ITT programme that is personalised for each of our trainees. During the training year we continually review and reflect on what each of your needs are and how we can best support you in developing your own professional practice. The help we offer doesn’t end there either; there are a number of initiatives we have running not only to aid training and development but also with looking for employment in your first teaching role as an ECT (Early Career Teacher).

If you’re interested in becoming a teacher at a Secondary or Primary level, the Lion Alliance is perfectly positioned to help you achieve your goals.

WHY JOIN THE LION ALLIANCE PROGRAMME?

Complementary placements
As part of the course, we organise a shorter, complementary placement at another one of our partner schools for our trainee teachers; taking into account their thoughts and preferences. As our partner schools are all located within Coventry and Warwickshire, we can limit the distance our trainee teachers have to commute so they can focus on the course without worry.

A second placement is really important as it can help develop a more well-rounded understanding of teaching and is an opportunity to get practical experience in different educational settings.
ITaP days
We organise 'Intensive Training and Practice Days'' through the training year which provides opportunities for our cohort of trainee teachers to meet, in person, and share experiences for peer support. We plan these in relation to university content and include a variety of interactive sessions, world-renowned speakers, teaching pedagogy and much more so that get the most out of working alongside colleagues in your area and our local schools contexts.

In fact, our sessions are so good we regularly have trainee teachers from local alliances join us.
An additional support network
The Lion Alliance is on hand to provide our trainee teachers with full programme and administrative support throughout their chosen route into teaching. Not only do they have access to school mentors and university tutors; the Lion Alliance is here as an additional layer of support that they can draw on.

We also pride ourselves on being an open and inclusive organisation that regularly champions support for additional needs; including mental health, physical wellbeing, disabilities and genders.
Alumni Programme
As a valued member of our network, we invite all of our student teachers to join our Lion Alliance Alumni programme. Following your teacher training, we will continue to share with you our latest teaching vacancies and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities so you can get the most out of working with us.
For our CPD in particular, we offer Alumni members discounted prices for our events; even if you aren't employed at one of our partner schools.
Phase & Transition experience
As part of our programme in both Primary and Secondary, you will experience what transition looks like for students between Primary and Secondary phases.

- For Primary trainee teachers; you will gain experience in Secondary to understand what transition looks like and how students are welcomed into the Secondary school environment and education.
- For Secondary trainee teachers; you will gain experience in Primary Key Stage 2 (Year 6) to understand where students learning has come from right up until when they transition into Year 7.
Access to our CPD library
Get access to a variety of teaching pedagogy literature that you can borrow from for free. We see the value in pedagogical research and practice, and want to provide the same opportunities to all of our PGCE trainees so that you can learn and grow by accessing the latest texts texts from authors reknowned in the educational world.

WHY BECOME A TEACHER?

Teaching can offer some incredible benefits. Not only can it be rewarding to work with children in nurturing their futures, there are some tangible benefits you may want to consider:

– The chance to change young people’s lives for the better
– Job security
– Competitive starting salary
– Generous pensions
– School holidays

Watch the videos below to discover more about these benefits.

How do teachers make a difference to young people?

The benefits of teaching

SECONDARY PHASE

KEY STAGES 3, 4 and 5
YEAR GROUPS 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
AGES 11-18

Being a secondary school teacher is a highly rewarding career that can span a lifetime. Every day will be different to the next and you’ll be working closely with children at an age where they are learning and growing in all areas of their life, not just in the classroom.

Not only will you watch your students mature as they grow up, but you will impact on who they become as they take their first steps toward adulthood. Your skills, experience and attitude will be key factors in how you develop the young minds of tomorrow.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REWARDS

– You’ll develop rewarding relationships with parents and carers, colleagues and the wider community.
– Make a lasting impact on the lives of young people; especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and mental health concerns.
– Colleagues can often become friends for life.
– Opportunities to connect with others and share what makes you special.
– Work in a diverse and dynamic school environment.
– You’ll be learning and developing yourself and your own practice, as well as teaching.
– There will be opportunities for career development into middle and senior leadership roles.
– Benefit from a good salary from the start of your career that will grow as your career develops.

PRIMARY PHASE

KEY STAGES 1 and 2
YEAR GROUPS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
AGES 5-11

Being a primary school teacher is a highly rewarding career that can span a lifetime. Every day will be a journey of exploration and you’ll be working closely with children at an early age; where they are developing their own personalities, and will go on to shape how they experience learning in the wider world.

Not only will you watch your students grow, but you will directly impact who they become as they take their initial steps toward higher learning and eventually secondary school education. Your patience, resilience and attitude will be key factors in how you nurture the development of our youngest minds, and will be imperative as they transition into their early teens.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REWARDS

– You’ll develop rewarding relationships with parents and carers, colleagues and the wider community.
– Make a lasting impact on the lives of young children; especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and mental health concerns.
– Colleagues can often become friends for life.
– Opportunities to connect with others and share what makes you special as a teaching professional.
– Work in a diverse and dynamic school environment.
– You’ll be learning and developing yourself and your own teaching practice, as well as teaching.
– There will be opportunities for career development into middle and senior leadership roles.
– Benefit from a good salary from the start of your career.

ROUTES INTO TEACHING

Learn more about the different routes into teaching we offer at the Lion Alliance