Why Train at MATTS

A major centre for Alexander Technique teacher training

MATTS is the largest Alexander Technique teacher training course in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. It is a long-established STAT-approved training school with a substantial teaching faculty and a wide range of visiting teachers from the UK and abroad.

Teaching team and training environment

MATTS has been established for over 25 years. The course is led by an experienced teaching team with many years of involvement in teacher training.

A defining feature of MATTS is its exceptionally high level of teaching contact. The student-to-teacher ratio is consistently very low (averaging better than 2:1 over the past five years), and students typically work with more than 10 different teachers over the course of a typical week, including both core faculty and visiting teachers. On most training days at least two of the teachers present have had more than 35 years of teaching experience.

In addition, the school regularly hosts visiting teachers from across the UK and internationally, contributing to a broad range of perspectives and approaches.

Learning environment and professional culture

The training takes place within a friendly, supportive and professional environment, with a strong emphasis on individual development within a structured group setting.

Students receive sustained, individual attention throughout the course. The school also maintains ongoing contact with graduates who wish to continue engaging with the training environment, supporting continued development beyond qualification.

A large and active training centre

The scale of MATTS allows for a breadth of teaching and learning experiences that is only possible in a larger training environment. The school supports a vibrant community of students and a substantial network of affiliated teachers.

Local teachers regularly attend the school, and visiting teachers from across the UK and abroad contribute to an active and varied training culture.

In addition, several of our graduates lead regional study ‘hubs’, offering further opportunities to participate in group work in different settings.

Professional transition and practical experience

In the later stages of training, students are able to draw on the wider professional network associated with MATTS.

Opportunities include:

supervised teaching practice
observation and shadowing in educational and conservatoire settings
supported introduction to professional teaching environments

These experiences support the transition from trainee to professional teacher in a structured and supervised way, helping to build the skills and confidence required to establish and sustain a teaching practice.

Professional recognition and certification

MATTS is a STAT-approved training course. Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), the principal professional body for Alexander Technique teachers in the UK, as well as affiliated organisations internationally.

MATTS is one of a small number of STAT-recognised training courses whose graduates are automatically eligible to apply for registration with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) without further examination. CNHC registration is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and is increasingly required for professional practice within healthcare and educational contexts (see more about qualifications in Training FAQs).

International recognition

Students from outside the UK are welcome at MATTS. The qualification is recognised internationally through STAT and its affiliated professional bodies, which together represent the majority of Alexander Technique teachers worldwide (see International Students).

Modes of study and flexibility

Students may engage with the course in different ways depending on their experience and intentions.

Some enrol with the aim of qualifying as teachers, while others join for shorter periods of study or on a provisional basis in order to become more familiar with the work before making longer-term decisions.

MATTS offers unmatched flexibility compared to other STAT-approved courses. Students may train full-time or attend the classes that fit their personal schedule and circumstances, without notice (see Training FAQs).

This allows each student to find a level of engagement that suits them, while maintaining the continuity and standards of the training as a whole.

Community and communication

MATTS maintains an active and engaged learning community, including communication channels for students, trainees and the wider professional network.

These support the sharing of announcements, professional opportunities, and ongoing discussion of Alexander Technique principles and practice.

Location and access

Most classes take place in a large, naturally lit teaching space at the Quaker Meeting House in Wilmslow, Cheshire, an attractive town close to Manchester.

The location benefits from strong transport links. Wilmslow railway station is a 15-minute walk from the school, with direct connections to major UK cities. Manchester Airport is located four miles away and provides international access.

Manchester and the surrounding area offer relatively affordable living costs compared with London, along with a well-established cultural and professional environment.

Postgraduate study and graduate support

MATTS maintains a long-standing tradition of supporting graduates who wish to continue their development after qualifying by continuing to visit the school.

Opportunities include supervised practice, work exchange, observation, and continued study with senior teachers. This ongoing relationship allows graduates to continue developing their skills within a familiar and supportive professional environment.

Visiting MATTS

We encourage prospective students and postgraduate teachers to visit the school.

Visits provide an opportunity to observe teaching in practice, meet members of the teaching team, and speak with current students about their experience of training.

A first visit is free and prospective students are encouraged to visit more than once before making a decision. Time spent visiting can count towards STAT minimum training requirements.

To arrange a visit, please contact the school directly to agree a suitable time.