TESTIMONIALS
HEAR MORE FROM OUR PAST PGCE TEACHERS
Each year we have the opportunity to meet a variety of wonderful professionals looking to become qualified teachers. It really is a privilege to connect with so many fantastically enthusiastic individuals, and get to work with them to guide them into their new career in education.
Here you can find out how some of them have gotten on, and how by joining with the Lion Alliance, they’ve been prepared for their new role as a qualified teacher.
MS BROWN
Winner of the ‘Ann Barnes Memorial Prize for Inspirational Teaching, University of Warwick’ 2023-24
I chose to train with the Lion Alliance via the partner-led route due to the outstanding reputation of the school I wanted to train in. There is a safe and encouraging atmosphere at the school, not only allowing students to thrive, but for me to develop as a teacher too.
My PGCE year was thorough and enjoyable. I cannot commend everyone at the Lion Alliance enough for their endless support and care for the well-being of their trainees. I worked very closely with my subject mentor, who was always available beyond our regular meetings for any additional questions and discussions.
The passion of everyone involved in my training was inspiring and showcased teaching as a rewarding career, instilling a sense of purpose and fulfillment as a result of supporting and educating the next generation. I have drawn on the experience of my colleagues, as well as guest speakers hosted by the Lion Alliance, to equip me with a range of strategies to carry into my ECT years.
The Alliance are committed to providing quality training and support; I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Ms Brown – Teacher of Geography
Partner led PGCE 2023-24 and Early Career Teacher 2024-25
Ms Brown joined us after university, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
MS BEIOLEY
Ms Brown was very proactive and reflective which enabled us to build a meaningful relationship that allowed her to make excellent progress in beginning her teaching career. The partner-led route allowed Ms Brown the opportunity to fully embed herself into our school and become an influential colleague from the beginning of the course.
The Lion Alliance programme provided her with a breadth of CPD opportunities allowing her to develop her teaching practise and pedagogical knowledge alongside her university studies. All great opportunities to become a high-quality Early Career Teacher.
I have enjoyed being a mentor as it has provided new perspectives on old problems. Having a PGCE teacher has acted as a catalyst to promote greater discussion about teaching & learning within our team, providing knowledge and expertise that has helped to develop our schemes of learning and teaching strategies as a department. In addition, I have found the mentor training insightful and being part of a new and wider network of other mentors across our alliance has been a positive support base for me.
The Lion Alliance could not be more welcoming, helpful and supportive of me as mentor. The team have always been available to help with any issues and their exceptional organisation, such as providing super advance notice for any training and paperwork, allowed me to manage the mentoring alongside my head of department responsibilities.
Overall, having a partner-led PGCE teacher through the Lion Alliance has significantly enhanced and helped to positively develop not only Ms Brown in her teaching career, but also myself, my colleagues and our department as a whole.
Ms Beioley – PGCE Mentor
Head of Geography
MS BROWN
I was initially drawn to the Lion Alliance due to its flexible approach in allowing trainees to choose a base school from a diverse range of alliance schools. This eliminated any concerns about training location. The alliance’s reputation exceeded my expectations, as they wholeheartedly support trainees through continuous professional development, answering any and all concerns, help with connections going into your ECT years, and inspire excellence.
Consistently, I received personalised support from the team, promptly addressing any questions and making you feel confident in own abilities. Alliance days throughout the year provided opportunities to connect with fellow trainees from different schools, fostering peer support and boosting confidence. My mentors were incredibly supportive, encouraging creativity and emphasising that this year is an opportunity to take risks.
I highly recommend the Lion Alliance for its high-quality teacher training and tailored experience that caters to individual needs and aspirations. Beyond the basics, they offer amazing CPD sessions, opportunities to ‘meet the expert,’ and assistance in organising your second placement, removing any additional stress.
If you’re passionate about teaching and seek a supportive, friendly training experience, look no further than The Lion Alliance.
Ms Brown – Teacher of History
Partner led PGCE 2023-24
Ms Brown started off employed as a Cover Supervisor at Finham Park school, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
I chose the Lion Alliance because of the schools they were partnered with (Princethorpe College in particular).
I would recommend the Lion Alliance as they were brilliant and very accommodating all the way through my PGCE course. They organised great seminars for trainees.
Mr Stasiak – Teacher of Physics
Partner led PGCE 2023-24
MR PARSONS
Working in an office environment was extremely demotivating and I felt like I was a part of a system. I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives and this is what attracted me to the education sector.
I have finally found a career which I am certain is right for me; where I can inspire the next generation, attract them to the world of computing, and help develop the skills needed to become successful computer scientists.
The Lion Alliance provides the best route to make this happen. I had heard that a PGCE is “one of the most difficult years in a teacher’s career” and this is where the Lion Alliance excels the most; they made me realise that this statement was far from true.
They do everything in their power to help and provide close connections to land a job straight after training. This is an unmatched perk that I would not have not been gifted with had I not completed my PGCE with them, and had decided to go down the core university route.
Thanks to them I have landed my dream job as a ‘teacher of computing’ in an alliance school; which I absolutely love. Now, I have a purpose and want to continually grow as a proud member of their alumni. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Mr Parsons – Teacher of Computing
Partner led PGCE 2022-23 and Early Career Teacher 2023-24
Mr Parsons worked in a private industry position but was looking at changing careers. They were accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
MS STAN
It’s the smell of old books, the desire to continue learning beyond school years and the passion for working with children that have led me to choose teaching as a career. Because of this, I was instantly attracted by the alliances astonishing support and learning opportunities for trainee teachers. You’re given the opportunity to choose your own base school from a wide range of schools that are part of the alliance and this benefitted me as I was able to choose a school close to my home, within walking distance. Similarly, they arranged for me to meet my mentor and visit my training school prior to the start of the academic year, allowing me to become familiar with my future working environment.
The Lion Alliance offers priceless training and support. The package they provide plays an essential role in every trainees’ successful completion of their Initial Teacher Training and I strongly recommend training through the Lion Alliance.
For me, teaching is the act of sharing the precious treasures found in books and around us. If you strongly desire to impart knowledge and help shape the future generation, then teaching is the career that will help you achieve this.
Ms Stan – Teacher of English
Partner led PGCE 2022-23 and Early Career Teacher 2023-24
Ms Stan joined us after university, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
MR WALTER
I was drawn to the Lion Alliance by its commitment to providing high-quality professional development for trainees and qualified teachers. From the moment I first enquired, the team have been hugely encouraging, providing information about funding and training routes to help me make informed decisions about my PGCE application.
The biggest highlight has been how incredibly supportive and encouraging my mentors and colleagues have been. Having such strong relationships has allowed me to develop a good beginner’s toolkit of classroom strategies that I can deploy with my new classes as a newly qualified teacher.
Teaching has provided me with a profound sense of purpose and opportunity to develop a broad range of skills. As a result, I feel that teacher training with the Lion Alliance has given me the skills I would need to flourish in any professional environment, both inside and outside of education.
My experience has been wholly positive and I would recommend applying to train with the Lion Alliance.
Mr Walter – Teacher of Mathematics
Partner led PGCE 2022-23 and Early Career Teacher 2023-24
Mr Walter joined us after university, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
How supported have you felt in your placement school?
My mentor was unbelievable supportive and helpful, with the department friendly and welcoming. Students and staff took up my preferred title and pronouns very quickly.
What have you enjoyed most this year?
I have gained a lot of confidence in the classroom, built lots of positive relationships and learnt how to not stay up till midnight planning every night. Teaching queer identities to Year 8 in PSHE was one of my most memorable moments.
Teacher Newbigging – Teacher of Physics
University led PGCE 2022-23
What have you enjoyed most this year?
Developing my subject knowledge, nurturing successful relationships with students and making it to the end of my training have all been the successes of my training year. One of the most memorable moments was getting my first teaching job.
Ms Johnstone – Teacher of Psychology
Partner led PGCE 2022-23
How supported have you felt in your placement school?
Thank you to all of my mentors who were a tremendous support to me.
What have you enjoyed most this year?
The successes of my training year were developing my behaviour management and learning to build relationships with students and staff.
I passed all of my university assignments and survived the PGCE year to get my qualified teacher status (QTS) and post graduate certificate in education (PGCE)
Ms Zhuang – Teacher of MFL Mandarin
Partner led PGCE 2022-23
How supported have you felt in your placement school?
The Alliance team are very friendly and informative. A high level of support has been sustained throughout the year, allowing me to feel secure during my training.
What have you enjoyed most this year?
The Alliance days have been brilliant opportunities to learn from knowledgeable colleagues and share experiences with other trainees. Moreover, dedicated weekly training sessions delivered by staff from across the school facilitated learning from a broader pool of experience. These meetings also helped to build a strong community amongst trainees within the school.
Mr Walter – Teacher of Mathematics
Partner led PGCE 2022-23
MS BUGEJA
I really liked the idea of being linked directly to a school and having the chance to really be a part of a wider community through the alliance.
My mentor was incredibly helpful and supportive, she really helped me be less critical of myself and celebrated the little wins that have led me to being the teacher I am today. My placement school has been incredibly supportive and welcoming providing a open environment for me to develop my own teaching style.
The alliance days are incredibly helpful. Not only for furthering my training outside of the standard ITT requirements, but with motivation seeing my fellow trainees and being able to support each other has really helped me through out the year. I’ve definitely made some friends for life through this process.
The alliance are really supportive and you feel like they are invested in your success. I couldn’t recommend them enough. You feel like they genuinely want you to do well and nurture you to reach your full potential as a teacher – you’re not just a number or name to them.
To any potential trainees considering the alliance; enjoy every experience and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. It’s hard work but really rewarding, you won’t find a career like it anywhere else.
Ms Bugeja – Teacher of Primary
Partner led PGCE 2021-22
Ms Bugeja joined us after university, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
MR NELSON
School Direct training via The Lion Alliance is a fantastic option because all their schools are fantastic, and you have a much greater say in where you go for your placements. The smaller team at the core of the Lion Alliance are incredibly responsive and keen to help you out wherever you need. They also work with a range of universities in and around Coventry so you can choose to work with whichever one you prefer. If you are interested in training to teach in the area, there is no reason not to contact the Lion Alliance, it is such a fantastic and welcoming option, I can’t imagine training with anyone else.
For anyone considering teaching as a career; If it’s right for you, it can be fantastic. You have the opportunity to help guide students to be who they will be for the rest of their lives; to help them reach their goals; to help them overcome their barriers. Going back to school can be intimidating and it can be hard to tell before you start if it is right for you, but if you have any interest at all, it is so worth trying. You’ll wonder how you could possibly do anything else.
Mr Nelson – Teacher of Mathematics
Partner led PGCE 2021-22
Mr Nelson started off employed as a Cover Supervisor at Finham Park school, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
How supported have you felt by the Alliance?
What have you enjoyed most this year?
Forming positive relationships with all of my pupils, and genuinely interesting them, sharing my passion, in my subject. I have also loved my drama department as a whole. My colleagues have been my inspiration and support system from day one, making my journey just that bit easier.
Teacher of Drama
Partner led PGCE 2020-21
How supported have you felt in your placement school?
What have you enjoyed most this year?
Just the support and guidance that we are given- training with the Alliance as a whole is like being part of a big family. Sean and Alex are really supportive and always there if we need them. My school and ITT lead have been super supportive and again always there. All teachers are happy to help and I have had a slightly crazy but still amazing year training here.
Teacher of Biology
Partner led PGCE 2020-21
How supported have you felt by the Alliance?
What have you enjoyed most this year?
Small moments of achievement like one of my year 7s reading a book after I’d done a lesson around an extract, or students saying hello when I pass them in the playground. The relationships I’ve built with students have been hard fought but 100% worth it.
Teacher of English
Partner led PGCE 2020-21
How supported have you felt in your placement school?
What have you enjoyed most this year?
I enjoyed the Lion Alliance days. The guest speakers have been really interesting and I will definitely be trying out some of their strategies when I have my own class in September.
Primary Teacher
Partner led PGCE 2020-21
My subject mentor has really helped me get better at doing lessons, and made sure I make my lessons accessible to all. They always have really helpful answers to my questions.
I have really enjoyed the positive student interactions I have had here.
Mr Garlick – Teacher of RE
Partner led PGCE 2021-22
Thank you for this opportunity and supporting me as a core trainee! You have really made me feel at home and I will miss being at my host school and being part of the Alliance.
Teacher of Geography
Partner led PGCE 2020-21
MS RAYAT
I chose teaching as a profession because I enjoy working with children and making a positive contribution to their development, so they are ready for the next phase in their life.
I joined the Lion Alliance because I knew I would be supported at every step of my journey. I had very supportive mentors and a supportive head of the teaching alliance. The CPD was of excellent quality which helped me to become a better teacher and develop my confidence.
I strongly recommend joining the Lion Alliance because there is help and support at every step of the journey. They have a wealth of very experienced teachers who will always encourage the use of different strategies with different students to make their learning memorable.
Ms Rayat – Teacher of Chemistry
Partner led PGCE 2020-21 and Early Career Teacher 2021-22, 2022-23
Ms Rayat started off employed as a Teaching Assistant at Finham Park school, and was accepted onto the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher. During their training year they applied and secured a teaching role at Finham Park school as a teacher of chemistry.
MR SHIELD
Having worked in multiple industries outside of teaching for 20 years, I can honestly say you will never find a more rewarding job than that of a teacher. Being able to impact a child’s life in a positive way gives you a real sense of self-worth. No day is the same and you are constantly faced with new and interesting challenges, which makes teaching an occupation like no other.
From the moment I signed up with the Lion Alliance, I felt like I was being supported. Communication was excellent and the overall organisation was amazing. The advice and feedback, which was constantly given, was reassuring and gave me the confidence to reflect on my teaching and experiment with teaching strategies.
They are a fantastic organisation that gives you the best possible opportunity to succeed in teaching as a career. The level of support provided is amazing and any questions you have are always dealt with in the appropriate manner. Having trained with them, I know that they can become a major part of your life as a teacher, as the training they offer will stay with you forever.
Mr Shield – Teacher of History
Partner led PGCE 2020-21 and Early Career Teacher 2021-22, 2022-23
Mr Shield worked in a private industry position but was looking at changing careers. They joined the Lion Alliance PGCE programme to become a qualified teacher, and during their training year applied and secured a teaching role at Finham Park school.