The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique

School Prospectus

The Society of Teachers of the
Alexander Technique (STAT)
1st Floor, Linton House,
39-51 Highgate Rd,
London NW5 1RS
Tel. 0207 284 3338
www.stat.org.uk

We offer a three year training course, with the approval of STAT - The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (see box on right).

Course Structure

3 years, totalling a minimum of 1600 hours.
3 terms of 10 - 12 weeks, with a one or two week half-term.
Monday to Thursday 8.45 am - 1 pm.
Term dates are decided in consultation with the Committee and we do our best to fit in with children’s school term dates when relevant.

Curriculum

We encourage an open and enquiring attitude to learning and teaching the Alexander Technique so that graduates have confidence in their ability to continue to learn for themselves, confidence in their ability to teach the Technique to individuals, small groups and to give introductory talks and workshops.

Teaching takes place in a mixture of individual sessions, small groups and the whole class. Each trainee has a minimum of three private lessons a term.

On a daily basis over all 3 years:

Students work with teachers, each other, and individually to explore their experience and application of the principles of the Alexander Technique and the ways in which they interact with their own environments.
Hand Contact Skills. Trainees separate into small groups with a teacher twice a week to accommodate the different stages of acquiring these skills. 2nd and 3rd year trainees work with other trainees and have a one-to-one session each week with a teacher. 3rd year trainees also give supervised lessons to members of the public and students of the Music Department of Bristol University.
Building towards a lesson. These sessions are about the development of teaching skills that can be incorporated into an Alexander lesson.

Once or twice weekly over all 3 years:

Study of F.M. Alexander’s books and other relevant literature.
Anatomy, physiology and body mapping . Lectures, discussion, hands on and written work.
Use of the voice: spoken and singing.
Movement and teaching games .
Discussion groups and talks on Alexander’s Principles, related topics.
Communication and presentation skills: These sessions happen at the Training School and at Bristol University.
In the 3rd year information is shared and discussed on the teacher pupil relationship and on setting up a teaching practice .

In addition to time at the school, trainees will need to do 4 to 5 hours of home study a week:

Reading F.M. Alexander’s books and related texts. Preparing chapters for book sessions.
Studying anatomy and physiology, including written work.
Preparing presentations
Varied Homework, e.g. Definitions of AT Principles, reviewing and comparing books on the AT, completing a 21 day AT diary.
Video study

Intake

Our intake is usually in September and sometimes January.

Course Admission

Applicants need to have enthusiasm and interest in learning, together with a good understanding of the Alexander Technique, both in the theoretical ideas and in a practical, living application of the work.

We encourage potential trainees to visit the school at least once – several times if possible – before applying for a place on the course. There is no charge for prospective trainee visits to the school. Visitors are invited to take part in the day’s classes, meet and work with the teachers, and have a private lesson with Caroline outside school time.

As a STAT approved training course all students are requested to become student members of STAT, from the beginning of their training.

BATTSA is on the Register of Education and Training Providers, reference No. 23643.

Career Development Loans have been made available to people undertaking this training course.

Qualifying

Trainees are encouraged to asses their own progress which is also discussed by the teachers at regular meetings. Because BATTSA is a STAT approved training course all trainees in their 6th and 9th terms will be assessed by a STAT - appointed Moderator. The moderator’s role is to make an external assessment of the trainees’ progress and then advise the Head of Training and the trainees.

The decision to qualify trainees is the responsibility of the Head of Training. We take care to stay in touch with each trainee’s progress and to maintain a two way communication. In some cases, a trainee may need more time so that they can be ready and confident to teach. Any trainee not reaching the required standard at the end of three years may continue their studies at the discretion of the Head of Training.

Upon graduation, trainees will receive a certificate from the Training School that is recognized by STAT. Graduates can then apply for their STAT certificate and membership.

Trainees undertake not to give unsupervised lessons in the Alexander Technique until they are qualified.

Money Matters

The School is run as a non profit-making Association, of which all teachers and current trainees are members.

We have a committee of 4 members, which deals with some of the financial decisions and is an advisory communication channel on other aspects of the course. We ask all members to be on the Committee for at least two terms.

The Head of Training has responsibility for teaching staff, curriculum, accepting and qualifying trainees, and overall decision making.

Enrolment Contract & Deposit

All trainees who accept an offer of a place on the course sign a contract and pay a non-returnable enrolment deposit of one term’s fees, within a month of the offer of the place.

A copy of the signed contract and a receipt for the enrolment deposit will confirm a trainees place.

The enrolment deposit will be used towards your final term’s fee.

Fees

Course fees are £1300 per term. (e.g. 6 cheques: 5 payable to individual teachers and one to BATTSA ). Fees are paid on the first day of term.

If any trainee has a period of financial difficulty we are open to being as helpful as possible, for instance paying in installments.

Fees are subject to annual review. As a non-profit association, we run a careful budget and aim to keep the fees as low as reasonably possible.

Total Fees Payable

£1300 Enrolment Deposit - last terms’ fee. (The only fees payable for the last term are any increases in the termly fee, over and above the enrolment deposit already paid.)
£1300 Per term
£150 Student membership of STAT and Moderation visits. In some cases if students have difficulty in paying this amount in full STAT is open to 3 installments of £50 to be paid at the beginning of each year of training.
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Teachers

Caroline Chalk - Head of Training

Trained with Jeanne & Aksel Haahr in Totnes, Devon, qualifying in 1984. She has taught at BATTSA since 2003. As well as teaching at BATTSA she has a private practice working with individuals and groups. Caroline is also a qualified and experienced therapist and trainer and brings relevant skills in communication and personal development to her role as head of training. She has a lifelong passion for horses & riding and is fascinated to explore how the application of AT to our sport activities can enhance our enjoyment and performance.

Colin Tully - Assistant Director

(Qualified A & J Haahr 1983)
Composer and musician

Belinda May - Assistant Director

(Qualified BATTSA 1999)
Teaches anatomy at BATTSA

Visiting Teachers

To complement our core of local teachers we have regular visits from experienced AT teachers from around the world, some skilled not only in the AT but also in specific areas, e.g. swimming; running; group teaching; acting and voice; music etc.

Teaching Term

Recently qualified teachers from the Training School are encouraged to do a teaching term of one day a week.

For more detailed information about the teachers please see Meet the Teachers (www.battsa.co.uk/html/teachers.htm).

Location

BATTSA Training School Address
Long Ashton Guides HQ,
Weston Road,
Long Ashton,
Bristol BS41 9BJ
Tel. 01275 394339

For detailed information on how to get to BATTSA , please see Location (www.battsa.co.uk/html/location.htm).

Bristol Alexander Technique Training School Association (BATTSA)