Testimonies
“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.”
Taylor – Former Student
Thinking about becoming a teacher? My advice to you is to do it. You will never find a career quite like it. Teacher training with CLN is a brilliant provider to start your journey with. Teaching is a career where you will continue to learn to provide the best support but CLN gives you the best skills to prepare you. Unlike other providers, CLN teacher training allows you to be in schools from day one. Therefore, you will get stuck into teaching much sooner.
Another thing I love about CLN, is that the course values observing others. As an ECT you will have much less time to be able to do this so this is something I encourage you do. This supports your journey on training because you pick up on useful tips that you can use for your training and future career.
Also, the placement schools CLN have chosen to work with are welcoming and want to support trainees as much as they can on their journey.
So all in all, if you are thinking about teacher then CLN is the course for you.
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.
