Alexander Technique Teacher Training

The training takes three years with three terms of approximately twelve weeks per year. It takes place daily, Monday to Friday, in the morning. The terms are arranged to coincide with primary and secondary school terms.

Students can start in any of the three terms and all students work together as a group, including teachers doing post-graduate work. This produces a lively mix of levels of work. We seek to equip students with the skills to continue their development afterwards and to give Alexander lessons of a high standard with particular emphasis on the use of the hands.

The content is essentially practical, and includes discussions, some written work and additional studies in anatomy, physiology and related subjects. We do not have a set daily programme since we teach every individual according to what they seem to need. However each student receives a course handbook to guide them through the essentials of the course and upon which they can fall back if they need help with structure.

The class is small so that students receive a large amount of individual as well as group work. Further, Alexander’s five-day week is maintained for the sake of maintaining as much continuity of work as possible.

“I arrived at the Centre for the Alexander Technique with severe shoulder and neck pain. This condition had been with me for five years. I had spent a lot of time seeking solutions……..putting frozen peas on my shoulder, unable to garden and constantly in pain. The quality of my life was a struggle. I am now in my third year at the Ribeaux school, free from pain and more at ease with my body. I have a clearer understanding of how my body works and strategies to avoid recurrence of my pain.”

– TC, ex-School Teacher, South London

On successful completion of the course students receive a certificate recognised by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

Anyone not reaching the required standard at the end of three years may be allowed to extend their course at the discretion of the Directors.

Entry
Prospective students should have sufficient prior experience of the Alexander Technique, a good general level of education and some work experience. Anyone interested is welcome to visit the class. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the class regularly and to take a series of individual lessons. In this way both parties are in a position to make an informed decision about joining. In all cases the first term is probationary. A deposit of £200 (refundable against the final term’s fees) is payable on acceptance of a place.

Fees
The fees are £1700 per term, payable on the first day of each term and are not refundable. If additional training beyond the three year minimum is required fees are payable for the extra period. In addition, a fee of approximately £55 per year is payable to cover student membership of STAT and external moderation which takes place at the end of the second and final years. Whilst every effort is made to keep fees at a reasonable level, these inevitably need to be re-evaluated from time to time.

Finance
Financial help for training as an Alexander Teacher is by and large difficult to find. However, certain local education authorities have in the past paid part or all of a student’s fees on a discretionary basis.

You might consider a Professional and Career Development Loan. Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Young People’s Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries. Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900. Our learning provider registration number is: 10028843.