Birmingham Newman Direct (Primary)

The Tividale partnership has a proven track record of effectively supporting trainees to become successful teachers. The feedback from previous trainees (including Birmingham Newman Direct, PGCE and Undergraduate) is always extremely positive and complimentary.

As a trainee, you will be working with a highly skilled, but also caring and supportive team within a school who will do everything they can for you to succeed. You will be allocated an experienced school-based mentor who will support you during the programme.

In addition, there will be opportunities to participate fully in the wider aspects of school life. One of the ways our trainees are so successful is their ability to work collegiately by sharing experiences and offering mutual support.

Our partner schools reflect the diverse nature of education on the outskirts of Birmingham, ensuring your placements are varied and increase your chances of finding the school that is right for you.

St John Bosco Catholic Primary School was formally a Teaching School and has been offering Birmingham Newman Direct places both primary and secondary since 2013. In 2021 it joined a Multi Academy Company (of the same name!) which comprises of two secondary schools, Stuart Bathurst and Bishop Milner and five primary schools:

St Josephs in Dudley, St Chads in Sedgley, St Mary’s in Wednesbury, St John Bosco in West Bromwich and St Marks in Great Barr and St Bernadettes in Brownhills. We also offer School Placement in non Catholic schools that we have worked alongside since 2013, extending our reach within the Black Country. Each student accepted into the programme is provided with a laptop which is theirs to keep if they successfully complete the training year.

We have a very supportive relationship with Birmingham Newman University and our partnership tutor Andrew Sheehan and course leader Claire Owen. As a student you will have the support of Andrew, Claire and our own MAC School Direct lead Chris Randall, together with a school based mentor and class teachers to support you on your journey to become a teacher at school and university level.

St John Bosco Catholic Academy (Primary School Direct), Bishop Milner Catholic College, Burton Road, Dudley, DY1 3BY

At St. Peter’s Solihull Teaching School Partnership, we have a long and successful history of training new teachers through school-based training.

Undertaking the primary Birmingham Newman Direct programme with our partner is an exciting opportunity to develop into an outstanding teacher with the drive and motivation to make a difference.

Successful completion of the course will lead to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) and will include a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) certified by Birmingham Newman University.

We offer a highly successful, bespoke training programme and have an excellent track record and a wealth of experience in training new teachers. We work alongside local primary schools, ensuring high quality mentoring and support and the course will equip you with practical as well as theoretical knowledge as you begin your career as a primary practitioner.

Lumen Christi is Latin for the ‘Light of Christ’. The name perfectly captures the spirit of guidance and enlightenment to which our organisation aspires.  Our mission is simply to work ‘together with trust, respect and love to provide the highest quality of Catholic education to our communities.’ We feel that working as a Multi Academy Company, we can together achieve our guiding aims and in doing so provide pupils and students with the opportunities to fulfil their highest potential and become the people God is calling them to be.

We are group of seven primary schools and one secondary school predominately based in South Birmingham, however we also have a school in Sheldon, Birmingham.

We work in partnership with Birmingham Newman University and interview with Newman colleagues to take students who want to work in the primary sector and who want to gain hands-on experience as they train.

Training includes in-school training led by classroom teachers in our partnership, to support your learning from safeguarding to phonics; behaviour management to planning and assessment.

What Excelsior MAT does

Excelsior MAT is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) operating a group of primary schools around Birmingham (plus one in Dudley).

• Their purpose is to provide high-quality primary education across their schools: delivering strong teaching, an inclusive curriculum, broad opportunities for pupils (academic, pastoral, extra-curricular), and ensuring each school serves its local community.
• They also invest in staff wellbeing: through a programme/platform known as “ExcelWell”, designed to support staff physical and mental health, ensure work-life balance, and create a supportive working environment.

Core Values & Vision

Excelsior MAT is guided by a clear set of core values and a vision that shape how their schools operate.
Their core values:

• Aspiring from the start — ambition is encouraged from Day One; they want every child’s journey to begin with high aspirations.
• Engaging learning — a commitment to unlocking pupils’ minds daily through dynamic, engaging learning experiences.
• Succeeding together — emphasising collaboration: “Alone you’re good; together we’re amazing.” This underlines community, teamwork among pupils and staff, and mutual support.
• Ensuring equality for all — equality is central: providing equal opportunities to every pupil regardless of background; inclusion and fairness are fundamental.

Their vision

“All our schools to be outstanding beacons of equality, where pupils succeed in a safe, innovative and vibrant learning community.”

• They believe “excellent teachers change lives,” stressing the importance of high-quality staff, training, and supportive environments to help children succeed.

Holy Spirit MAC Primary Partnership

Welcome to the Holy Spirit MAC Primary Partnership and Birmingham Newman University PGCE Programme.
Our five schools in Nuneaton, Bedworth, and Atherstone offer a welcoming and supportive environment for educators looking to make a real impact. Nestled in the heart of Warwickshire, these schools provide an excellent place to teach, with a strong sense of community and a commitment to nurturing both students and staff.

Working in one of our schools, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds, being close to the vibrant cities of Coventry and Birmingham while benefiting from the peaceful surroundings of smaller towns and countryside. Whether you live locally or commute, you’ll find a friendly and inclusive atmosphere where you can thrive professionally.

Train to Teach at the Holy Spirit MAC in Partnership with Birmingham Newman University

At the Holy Spirit MAC, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of exemplary teachers and leaders by offering a high quality, supportive training environment for PGCE candidates in partnership with Birmingham Newman University. Rooted in the values of Catholic Social Teaching, our commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community engagement is at the heart of everything we do.

A Transformative Training Experience

Aspiring teachers joining our PGCE programme will benefit from a well structured, immersive experience that prepares them to meet the demands of modern education. Teaching across our schools for pupils aged 3-18, trainees will receive high quality coaching, underpinned by the expertise of experienced mentors and school leaders who are committed to professional development.

We believe in equipping future educators with the skills, confidence, and resilience to excel in the classroom. Through structured coaching, mentorship, and leadership development, trainees will be guided every step of the way to become inspirational teachers and leaders of the future.

The Holy Spirit MAC Commitment to Excellence

As a MAC, we are dedicated to delivering outstanding teaching and learning, ensuring that every child’s academic, emotional, and spiritual formation flourishes in an environment of respect, challenge, and celebration. Our teacher training programme is designed to build a workforce that reflects these values, ensuring every educator is equipped to make a lasting impact on young people’s lives.

A Supportive and Aspirational Pathway

Our commitment to developing educators extends beyond initial training. The Holy Spirit MAC offers clear career progression pathways, creating a structured and well supported journey from trainee to expert practitioner. Our high quality mentoring, protected study time, and individual coaching plans ensure that every trainee receives the tailored support they need to succeed.

We recognise that entering the teaching profession is both a challenge and a privilege. That’s why we provide a culture of trust, respect, and ambition, developing resilience and self confidence in our trainees. Through regular reflection, feedback, and celebration of success, we help new teachers to grow into their roles with confidence and skill.

Shaping the Future of Catholic Education

The Holy Spirit MAC is committed to being a first choice employer within our local community, supporting diversity in education and creating purposeful pathways into teaching for aspiring educators. Our teacher training programme is not just about gaining a qualification; it’s about joining a thriving educational family that values growth, continuous learning, and excellence in teaching.

If you are passionate about making a difference and inspiring the next generation, train to teach with the Holy Spirit MAC through Birmingham Newman University where faith, learning, and leadership come together to shape the future of education.