TestimoniALS
“My teacher training year with Castleman was the most challenging, yet rewarding of my life. Lou is extremely knowledgeable and seems to know the answer to every question or problem you may have. The visits to other Castleman schools are fun and brilliant experiences and prepare you for interviews and the world of teaching.”
“I have enjoyed learning within the classroom and at CLN’s base greatly. The team are ever so supportive and very knowledgeable within their fields. The University of Worcester is closely connected and linked to the course and the course is well planned out and ticks every box that you need to become a teacher. Thank you for a great year!”
“I was initially very nervous about beginning my schools direct training as I have a young family. I have thoroughly enjoyed my placements in year 4 and year 1 at local schools. I have felt very supported and I enjoyed the training days outside of placement too. Lou has been a great support during the busier times and around assignment deadlines. The other trainees have become good friends as we all share our triumphs and our journey together.”
“Training at CLN has been one of the best things I have done and I am so happy I decided to do it. Lou and the team have been very supportive throughout and it has felt very personalised. I would recommend CLN to anyone looking to do teacher training.”
“Starting out in the teaching profession can feel like stepping into a whirlwind, but my experience with CLN made that journey not only manageable but genuinely inspiring. Even from the interview stage, I felt something different about them. The panel didn’t just assess my answers — they noticed me.
Instead of treating me like just another applicant, they recognised those qualities as strengths that could be shaped into real teaching practice. That early encouragement pulled me out of the crowd and gave me the confidence to believe I could truly thrive in this profession.
What stood out most was how intentional they were about developing real, practical teaching skills. The training was hands-on, relevant, and rooted in what actually happens in classrooms.
I’m grateful for the way they shaped my early steps into the profession. If you’re considering a PGCE and want a provider that blends expertise with genuine human support, CLN is an outstanding choice.”
Tom – Former Student
Testimonials from our part-time trainees
“With a young family, I worried that a full‑time PGCE would be impossible to juggle. Castleman Learning Network changed that for me. Their part‑time route has fitted perfectly around family life and allowed me to continue working alongside my studies.
Choosing this course has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I would wholeheartedly recommend this part‑time route to anyone aspiring to enter teaching while balancing commitments beyond their studies.”
“I chose the part-time PGCE with Castleman Learning Network as a busy mum with a full family life, and it has been the perfect pathway for me. It has enabled me to pursue my long-held ambition of becoming a teacher while still being present for my children and maintaining a healthy work–life balance. I have not had to compromise on my family or my career aspirations, which I am incredibly grateful for.
My experience with Castleman has been overwhelmingly positive. The tutors are supportive, approachable, and genuinely care about you as an individual.
The flexibility of the part-time course has been invaluable. While it is demanding, it provides the time needed to reflect, process learning, and balance other commitments such as work or family responsibilities. This has made the experience both manageable and sustainable.
Castleman has also provided excellent preparation for securing a teaching role. We have received guidance from headteachers and supply agencies, giving us insight into different career pathways such as full-time, part-time, job-share, and supply teaching.
We have been supported with personal statements, interview preparation, and even lesson planning for interview teaching tasks. This level of support gave me the confidence to approach my first teaching interview feeling prepared and capable.”
John Bagwell – Headteacher – Parley First School
I have worked alongside the Castleman Learning Network for a number of years now and have been very impressed with the professionalism, passion and dedication they have for all of their trainee teachers. We have worked in partnership to provide training that meets the needs of every individual with a focus on their strengths and working systematically on areas for development. I have been very confident to employ the trainees after completion of their course and currently have a number of teachers who have trained with the Castleman Learning Network.
I would highly recommend this route for anyone who is thinking of going into teaching and for staying in teaching as a very rewarding career.
Scott Tait – Headteacher – Bishop Aldhelm’s Primary School
As a school we have had a number of successful years associated with Castleman Learning Network. The programme is there to truly develop the art of teaching with an understanding that supports a natural progression into the ECT programme. The experience of teaching through a combination of classroom practice and research in local schools also opens the door to future employment. Student teachers and fellow Headteachers are able to network to find the right school to kick start careers. There is a feeling of ‘grow your own’ when you have a student teacher in placement at school and a number of the students have gone onto work in the schools that they have trained in.
Jo Wainewright – School Experience Tutor
Having worked as a Primary School teacher for over 20 years, with the last few as a SENDCO, I was ready for a new challenge and keen to support trainees joining the profession. I have been so impressed with the support, care and quality of training that Castleman offer their trainees and I am delighted to be a part of it. The Director, Lou, is passionate about education and this drives everything she does, ensuring trainees get the best experience both in our wonderful local partner schools and in taught sessions.
Diana – Former Student
If you’re passionate about working with children and want to make a difference in children’s lives, then I urge you to do it! I did too a few years ago. I changed my career and studied through CLN, whilst juggling family life, and it was the best decision I have made. CLN are supportive, and personable and provide you with the right tools to best prepare you for when you have your classroom.
What attracted me the most about CLN was that you spend most of your time in schools – very welcoming schools too! Not only are you given the skills to become the best teacher you can be, but CLN provide you with all the support you need when it’s time to apply for your new and rewarding career.
Rob – Former Student
A career switch can be hugely daunting, and after 15 years in the snow sports industry I decided to test the waters as a TA. I was certain teaching was what I wanted to do so I looked into training options and the friendly and supportive approach from CLN was immediately evident. When you are undertaking such a demanding training year this cannot be under estimated.
Amy and Lou have aligned themselves with the best practitioners across various trusts and schools which gives greater depth and dimension to the course, so you can maximise your training year to the fullest. Spending more time in school is the best way to learn and the course structure allows for this. When it came to applying for a position, the guidance and advice was second to none. At the interview stage it was apparent that the high quality training we had received had put myself and others in the cohort at a noticeable advantage. Finding a school just as supportive as CLN was a key consideration and having the knowledge of working within high quality schools during the course enabled me to find my perfect match.
“I can’t thank you enough for your continued support and encouragement throughout this year. Without your guidance and strength, this journey would have been tough. You have helped us ‘seeds’ grow into wonderful teachers. Signing up for Castleman has changed my life!”
“Training with CLN has been a really immersive experience. The support starts from the moment you apply. Amy and Lou are very knowledgeable, not only regarding teaching but about the needs of each, individual trainee.”
“My experience at CLN has allowed me to develop and grow, not just professionally but personally. I couldn’t be happier with choice of CLN as my training providers. They have supported my well-being beyond anything I could have imagined.”