Why train at MATTS?

A first class professional training

MATTS has been a notable and vibrant centre of excellence for 23 years and has graduated 39 teachers (July 2024). We offer a STAT approved training course for teachers with a lead team with many years of experience in the training of teachers, an exceptionally high student:teacher ratio (an average of better than 2:1 over the past three years) and with an exceptionally large number of participating teachers. Students can expect to work with about 12 different teachers during a typical week of training, and on most training days there are at least two teachers with more than 35 years' experience. In addition, we regularly host notable teachers from elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

Our classes offer intensive individual attention to the needs and development of each student and we provide continuing outstanding support for our graduates, most of whom choose to take up teaching careers.

MATTS graduates are certificated by The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) and are eligible to join the Society as a Teaching Member. STAT is the oldest and by far the largest representative body for AT teachers in the UK and is affiliated with all of the major representative societies around the world.

At the moment MATTS is one of only three STAT teacher-training courses whose graduates are also eligible immediately, and without any further study or examination (which can be onerous) to become members of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. This membership is increasingly required for teachers wishing to work at colleges and other institutions, and is required to obtain referrals from, or to work in, the NHS.

MATTS is an important centre, regionally, nationally and internationally. It is currently the largest training course in the UK and is one of the largest in Europe. Students from other countries are particularly welcome at MATTS, and our qualification is recognised throughout the world.

A completely flexible training schedule for each student

Our training course for teachers offers a flexibility in training options well beyond those currently available on other STAT-approved training courses. Students can train full-time or can choose which classes to attend on a completely flexible basis.

A great environment

MATTS is well-known for its open, friendly, welcoming, inclusive and professional learning environment that is reliably supportive of trainees, post-graduate students and qualified teachers, strengthening the skills and confidence needed to build and maintain a successful teaching practice. Local teachers drop in most days and teachers frequently visit us from elsewhere, often travelling long distances to attend.

All of our classes are located in a large, sunny room in a charming modern library in Wilmslow, an attractive small town in Cheshire, at the edge of the Manchester suburbs. Wimslow has excellent transport links that include a mainline railway station (a 7 minute walk from the school) with direct high-speed trains all over the UK and several connecting motorways. Manchester Airport is by far the most important airport in the UK outside of London, with direct flights all over the world, and is only 4 miles from Wilmslow.

Outstanding post-graduate support

MATTS has a long tradition of being particularly supportive of our graduates, should they wish to continue to visit the school, where work experience, work exchange, individual work with senior teachers and supervised hands-on practice are all available free of charge.

I am interested in finding out more, what should I do next?

Please feel free to contact the course director at any time for more information or to discuss your individual situation.

After that, usually the best thing to do is to visit us! All of our classes are open to visitors, so you can come on the day of your choosing. Ideally, a first visit would be on a Thursday, since the three course directors are usually present on that day, but this is not essential. The first visit is free of charge and then classes cost £63 each (from September 2024). If you decide to train as a teacher, previous visits can count towards the minimum hours of formal training required by STAT.

Where possible, we encourage potential trainees to visit us several times before deciding to train.

FAQs about training