Who's Who

Meet the Team:

Julie Townsend BA(Hons) PGCE

Director/Mindfulness Practitioner/English Lead/Expert plate spinner

I am a Teacher with 25 years of vast experience of teaching in Mainstream Secondary and Primary Schools,  Special Education and Alternative Provision.  Previously being a home educating parent of my two children has given me an understanding of educating in diverse ways, by employing different curricular e.g. Steiner.

At the heart of my role as an educationalist, has been that of a facilitator and encouraging young people to take ownership of their learning.  Students should have the self-belief to take control as they move along their educational journey; to develop the view that nothing is impossible.  These beliefs have led me to pursue a course in Mindfulness and complete .b training in Mindfulness for Children.

My subject specialisms of PE, English, Music and SEN enable me to extend these teaching skills to the young people at Prime8 Education both at the Group Base and 1:1 Community.

Julie’s mantra: “There is no such thing as a Naughty child”.

Julie Townsend

Alison Bryant -BA (Hons) Primary Education + QTS

STEM Lead /DSL/Expert at being unflappable

I have worked in Education for almost 20 years, specialising in Maths but particularly passionate about teaching English and Art. I wanted to be an accountant (hence qualifications in Russian and Economics!) but  when pursuing my A Levels, I was encouraged to undertake Voluntary work in both Primary and Secondary Schools and pretty quickly realised that teaching was the job for me.

I have worked in a variety of schools across the local area; teaching different year groups and mixed age classes, as well as being a SENCO. I previously ran St John Ambulance Cadet & Adult Units in Nottinghamshire, teaching first aid, care and many other topics to Young People and adults from 6-65. I took time out of teaching to support my son through his challenging Secondary Education years and became a volunteer for Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum during this time, which I still maintain whilst working at Prime8.  Both require similar skillsets.

These experiences; personally and professionally, have made me passionate about helping vulnerable Young People to find success and achieve their goals. No child should be overlooked and every child deserves another chance. Poor behaviour or task avoidance is usually a method of communication, when the young person does not know what else to do to make themselves heard or understood.

Alison’s Mantra - Help everyone to be the best that they can be....

Alison Bryant

Debbie Crookes

Community Tutor / ASDAN Lead / Surrogate Mum/Nan/Carer

I have worked in Education for over twenty years, first with the National Autistic Society then sixteen years at a Comprehensive school and finally as a Tutor in the local community.

It was while working in a comprehensive setting that I realised that some children were undervalued or written off by those in authority, whilst others were allowed to slip through the net and labelled as having no value to the education system.

I have seen this type of children flourish, grow and achieve- this is what drives me to help, to listen and to nurture and through Prime8 Education I feel I am doing just that!!!

No two days are the same and plans can go out of the window at the drop of a hat.

Debbie’s mantra: “Expect the unexpected!!!”

Amanda Shaw -

Tutor/ Mindfulness Coach /Qualified Counsellor

Having worked with children all of my life I am committed and passionate about working with children and young people. I have four children of my own and have been through many challenges that parenting and life can hold. The ever changing school environment makes me sensitive to the challenges that life can bring to our students which makes me more passionate to help and support them. I hold a CACHE Level 3 Children and Young people qualification and continue to update my personal development. I also worked for Bassetlaw Day Care Scheme run by Nottinghamshire County Council working with Children In Need and Vulnerable families. Working along side many professionals and foster Services opened my eyes to the complex lives that children can live and experience.

My journey continues with Prime8; I recently finished a .b Mindfulness course which will enable us to bring the attention to Mindfulness which will enhance the lives of our students.

Amanda's Mantra: Anything is possible, anything can be...