Job title: Director

When did you join QTR? In 2000 as an Office Assistant helping my father, I became a Partner in September 2010 and then Director in August 2016.

What did you do before? Originally, I trained in Psychology working in both Holloway Prison as a Psychology Assistant and at a Child psychiatric in-patient unit in London. I moved onto Behaviour Management within mainstream schools before training to be a Primary school teacher. I taught for 6 years taking on the roles of LAC designated teacher and SENCo, during this time I gained my SENCo qualification, as well as having other subject leadership responsibilities. I then left to have my first child and take over QTR.  

Favourite place you've travelled to: I have been very lucky to have travelled to some amazing places. My honeymoon driving around California meant I saw some extraordinary sights. I visited Dubrovnik in Croatia which was perfect for food, wine and relaxation but my most exceptional travel experience by far was the year I spent working in Sri Lanka, I love that country! The sights and people are like nothing I’d ever experienced before. If you ever have a chance go and if you are able, climb Adam’s Peak to see the sunrise – breathtaking!

Favourite children's book: Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. I have been able to recite it since I can remember and now spend a lot of time looking at the illustrations finding all the little details with my son.

Name: Carey Tompsett

Job Title: Operations and Marketing Manager

When did you join QTR? September 2019

What did you do before? I worked in the media for over 12 years as a picture editor before my wife and I moved from the South East to East Anglia in early 2018 (the same weekend as the Beast from the East hit the region!) Before starting at QTR I volunteered at a local charity which helps disadvantaged children and youths through sport and activity, mostly doing their digital marketing and social media content but also getting involved in most other aspects of the business.

Favourite place you’ve travelled to: Now this is a tough one! I am lucky to have travelled to some pretty special places so I think I may have to give my top 5. So, in no particular order we have: Nashville (a must for anyone who loves music), Iceland (the beauty of that country is unlike anything I have ever seen before and the Northern Lights took my breath away), Mauritius (an almost prefect island with the friendliest people), New York (just a wonderful city plus I got engaged there!) and Rome (if you love history, architecture and ice cream this is the place for you!).

Favourite children’s book: I think this has to be The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. There is a song which accompanies the book and it is hilarious!

Name: Amanda Walden

Job Title: Education Consultant

When did you join QTR? I first joined as a supply teacher in 2015. I have been in my admin role since June 2018 while continuing with some supply. 

What did you do before? I was lucky enough to be able to be at home with my children until they started school, when I trained as a teacher. I worked in several schools in Norfolk, finally becoming headteacher in an infant school. After 7 years, I realised being a head was taking over my life so I decided to return to the classroom as a supply teacher - a decision I have never regretted! 

Favourite place you've travelled to: This is a hard one! I spent a year as an au pair in Greece before university and remember spending a week living on a beach, visiting a tiny cottage behind it for meals with the family who lived there and hauling up cold drinks from the well (no electricity), and that was pretty close to my kind of heaven! Now, I love to go anywhere where there is space, nature and silence, and hills for me to climb.

 

Favourite children's book:  In school I love using 'On Sudden Hill' as there is so much to think about in it, and it's a brilliant starting point for loads of activities. For myself, its Joe's Cafe. It was given to my son when he was small, and was read repeatedly for many years to both my little ones. The pictures capture perfectly the heavy heat of a summers day and the simplicity of childhood. Happy memories!

Name: Lynne Elliott

Job Title: Education Consultant

When did you join QTR? I first joined as a supply teacher in 2003. I have been in my admin role since January 2018 while continuing with some supply.

What did you do before? I started teaching in London, in the early Seventies, when teaching was a different world of no National Curriculum or technology! I then moved out of London and worked in Laura Ashley, Norwich, as a department manager. Following another stint in teaching, myself and my then-partner built up a successful retail and wholesale business for nearly 20 years, after which I decided to go back into teaching. After doing a Returners to Teaching course, I taught in a small local village school. Out of the blue I had the opportunity to work the other side of the world, so of course I went! I returned after 16 months and joined QTR in 2003 as a supply teacher in a mixture of long term placements and daily supply in a range of different schools. I then became Early Years and KS1 coordinator in a local school for 6 years until I retired, for the first time! I went back to QTR where I have been for the last 5 years doing the same mixture of placements.

Favourite place you’ve travelled to: I loved travelling around the Far East on buying trips for the business, we also had amazing holidays out there. One year we did a six week round the world trip which included visiting Western Samoa, Hong Kong, China, and then the sensational Seychelles! My trip to the other side of the world for 16 months was to Fiji. I worked with the villagers to set up an eco resort which was very exciting. I rented a house on the main island in town and had a hut on the beach outside the village, sharing my time between them. The children went to school in the school-boat! Living and working in such a beautiful environment and meeting so many interesting people was a fantastic experience.

Favourite children's book: The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne. I first read it 60 years ago and it still appeals and makes me chuckle.