A dozen years, 243 graduates and a new chapter for Catholic teacher training in Wigan

For more than 12 years, Wigan and West Lancashire Catholic School Direct (WWLCSD) has been helping to train and develop the next generation of secondary school teachers.

Established as a partnership between Catholic schools in the Eastern cluster of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the programme has trained 243 secondary school teachers.

Many have gone on to build successful careers in schools across the country, with former trainees now holding leadership positions including executive headteacher, head of school and lead teacher across a range of departments.

This year marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as WWLCSD becomes Catholic Teacher Training @ Wigan and West Lancashire (CTT).

CTT is a school-led provider of initial teacher training, working in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

While the name has changed, bosses say the principles behind the organisation’s success remain the same: strong relationships, a shared ethos, excellent training and a commitment to helping every trainee teacher thrive.

A spokesperson said: “Our schools are part of the Archdiocese of Liverpool and have worked closely together for more than 12 years.

“This longstanding partnership means our schools share a common ethos and a commitment to supporting both their pupils and their staff.

“For our trainee teachers, this provides a welcoming and supportive network in which to begin their careers.

“All of our trainee teachers have the opportunity to train within a faith environment where Christ is at the centre of all that we do.”

Trainees do not have to be Catholic to train or work within the organisation’s schools.

CCT says its longstanding relationships with our partner schools allows it to provide high-quality placements in departments with an excellent record of mentoring, supporting and nurturing trainee teachers.

And as a lead partner for initial teacher education with Liverpool John Moores University, theycombine school-based experience with the academic training provided by LJMU towards the PGCE qualification.

CCT guarantees every trainee a placement within one of its partner schools, and trainees are told in June which school they will be joining in September.

This gives them the opportunity to make contact with their school, meet their department and begin familiarising themselves with the environment before their training year starts.

It can also tailor experiences around individual areas of interest, including special educational needs (SEN), disadvantage, Key Stage 5 and English as an additional language (EAL).

And it is proud of its strong record of trainees securing employment, both within partner schools and other establishments further afield.

This is supported by a mock interview process and a guarantee of interview within partner schools for relevant positions.

The spokesperson added: “The achievements of the 243 teachers who have already trained through our partnership demonstrate what can be achieved through high-quality, school-led teacher training and dedicated support.

“In 2025–26, 94 per cent of our trainees had secured employment by September, highlighting the strength of our training and the opportunities available to our graduates.

“As CTT @ Wigan and West Lancashire begins this next stage of its journey, we look forward to continuing to train, support and inspire the teachers and school leaders of the future.

“We welcome enquiries and applications from committed graduates of any faith or no faith who would like to begin their teaching career within the supportive and distinctive environment offered by our Catholic school partnership.”

Applications for 2027–2028 teacher training programme open on October 6.