Cheshire Learning and Teaching Alliance

The Cheshire Learning and Teaching Alliance (CLTA) offers you bespoke, high-quality school-based ITT leading to the Postgraduate Certificate of Education with Qualified Teacher Status.

About Cheshire LTA

We are proud to work with the University of Chester to deliver the new Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme - Primary PGCE Lead School Partner Route with QTS (replacing School Direct). This is an exciting school based training route for graduates and career changes interested in primary school teaching. We have an excellent reputation for delivering high quality innovative training which is practical, relevant and up to date. We are there to support our Associate Teachers every step of the way and you will soon feel part of the CLTA "family"!

This course enables you to work and train in the classroom, supported by experienced mentors and teachers.

Whether you have just completed your degree, or have been working in a career for many years, the Lead School Partner route could be the package for you. This is a great way to gain the qualifications and practical skills you need to become an outstanding teacher.

The programme consists of:

120 school based learning days across 2 schools
11 academic learning days led by the University
35 training days to improve subject knowledge across the curriculum/professional skills
4 Intensive Training & Practice Weeks – a mix of university and school based training
4 Intensive Focus Weeks concentrating on Phonics, SEND, Maths and Science

Each Associate Teacher will be allocated an experienced Professional Mentor to guide and support them through the programme, ensuring they set high standards for themselves and the children they teach.

Steve Meredith, the CLTA QA Lead Mentor will also meet with you each half term.

Finally, the University will appoint a University-Based Teacher Educator Mentor for further support and guidance.

Later in the year, we help with the ECT job application process and interview techniques. Many of our ATs secure jobs before the completion of the programme in the summer term, a number secure jobs in their placement schools. Please visit the CLTA website to read testimonials from previous ATs.

CLTA keep in touch with many Associate Teachers during their teaching journey as we deliver the 2 year ECT training and further Leadership Programmes. Thus delivering “the golden thread” in professional development training.

Please note, we do not offer visa sponsorship for international applicants.

Information Events

You are very welcome to meet up with some of our present group of Associate Teachers to ask them about the programme and working with CLTA. We can arrange this during one of our face to face training days or remotely.

Alternatively, why not join us at one of our informal ITE information events? They take place from 6:30pm on Microsoft Teams:-