The best teachers grow when they feel connected

The New River Teaching Alliance (NRTA), established in 2013 and proudly led by Alexandra Park School (APS), has always believed that the best teachers grow when they feel connected - to their training, to their school, and to their community. 

As an outstanding school with strong roots in Science and Maths, APS has helped shape a programme that supports people at every stage of their teaching journey, from first‑time trainees to colleagues preparing for leadership.

The partnership

A defining strength of the NRTA is the quality of its partnerships, especially our long‑standing relationship with the UCL Institute of Education (IOE). This collaboration has been central to everything we do. 

IOE brings academic depth and national reputation, while APS and our partner schools provide the day‑to‑day experience, pastoral support and school‑based expertise that student teachers value. Together, we have created a programme that is rigorous, practical and genuinely nurturing—one that consistently leads to strong PGCE outcomes and confident early career teachers. 

Community and commitment

We are also deeply committed to North London. Student Teachers often tell us how much they value our focus on connecting people from North London with schools in their own communities. By matching trainees to local schools, we help foster stronger ties and a lasting commitment to the area. Reducing long commutes means more time spent focused on training and ultimately helps build careers close to home. 

Many speak about the pride they feel teaching in the same boroughs they grew up in - giving back to the families, cultures and communities that shaped them. 

The training experience itself is rooted in real classroom practice. Trainees spend most of their time learning alongside experienced teachers, gradually moving from observing to teaching whole classes. Being placed in two contrasting schools helps develop adaptability, resilience and a strong instinct for what great teaching looks like. Personalised mentoring is at the heart of the process: student teachers are supported closely, encouraged honestly and guided by colleagues who want them to succeed. 

Seeing the benefits

The results of this shared effort are clear. To date, the NRTA - working in partnership with IOE - has trained over 200 teachers. Many of them now teach, lead and drive improvement within our alliance of North London schools, strengthening local recruitment and supporting long‑term retention. Their success is a testament to the power of a partnership built on trust, shared values and a genuine commitment to developing teachers who will stay and thrive in North London. 

In the end, the NRTA’s story is really a story about collaboration. The relationship between APS, as the lead partner, and IOE has been invaluable. Combining the strengths of a world‑leading university with the expertly organised hands-on experience in local schools. Together, we have built a pathway into teaching that is ambitious, grounded and deeply connected to the communities we serve. 

Iraj Felfeli
Director of New River Teaching Alliance and Deputy Headteacher at Alexandra Park School