Our Story:
Young Giants was founded in 2016 by qualified teacher, Jaime Johnson after her experience of tutoring in AP left her feeling a better service could be offered to the children and young people of her borough. Drawing on her training and teaching experience in a variety of settings she gathered a small team of likeminded QTS tutors, and set to work raising qualitative standards of tuition, focussing on the Growth Mindset, learner confidence and intrinsic motivation. Attracting the attention of her local authority inclusions department, Young Giants soon became a fully approved education provider for AP tuition. Young Giants now supports children and young people in several local authorities and specialises exclusively in AP.
Founder - Jaime Johnson
Qualifying with a PGCE for the post-compulsory sector of education (PCET) from University of Greenwich in 2005, Jaime has taught in further education colleges in London as a teacher and course leader. In 2010 Jaime undertook a second PGCE in primary education via the Schools Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme with University of Nottingham. Jaime has taught in primary schools both internationally, following the International Baccalaureate programme, and in the UK under the National Curriculum. She has also taught adults with learning disabilities and spearheaded a phonics teacher-training programme at a local community school in Malawi.
Head of Education Strategy and Development - Lisa Crawley
Graduating with a degree in Education, Lisa has worked in education since 2005. During her career she has progressed from Classroom Teacher to Assistant Head and Deputy Head, before undertaking a post as Headteacher. During her headship an Ofsted inspector commented: ‘Since your appointment, you have made a clear assessment of the improvement priorities needed. You have been highly effective in supporting the staff through this process.’ Lisa joined Young Giants with a passion for ensuring all children and young people have the support needed to achieve their full potential, whatever their personal circumstance and need.
Operations and Finance Manager - James Whitton
James holds over fifteen years of senior operational experience in the education sector. Moving from higher education into a large multi academy trust, James has delivered impactful change initiatives that have risen standards for children, young people and staff within education. James joined Young Giants with a commitment to our values, mission and vision, passionate about fostering innovation and delivering results that support our learners in their long-term goals.
Education Facilitator - Sila Kalkici
Sila graduated with a degree in Languages before completing a PGCE in Secondary Modern Languages at Goldsmiths University of London. She went on to teach French and Spanish at secondary level in London, where she also became a teacher trainee mentor. Sila has undertaken various teaching and learning research projects which have led to her strategies and recommendations being implemented across the whole school in which she worked. Sila joined Young Giants with a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of learners and their families.
Quality Assurance Lead and DSL - Rachel Gowreesunker
Rachel spent 18 years as a classroom teacher in secondary education, working with a wide variety of learners. Graduating with a degree in the arts, she progressed from teacher to head of department and head of faculty. During her time in these roles, she also managed the school’s provision for teacher trainees as well as delivering training and support on teaching and learning to qualified teachers. Rachel believes that all young people have the right to a high quality of education regardless of their circumstances. She joined Young Giants with a passion to continue her work towards improving access to education for young people and to provide support to their families.
Education Programme Lead - Ellen Davison
Ellen graduated from York St John University in 2018 with a first-class degree in Primary Education, specialising in English and Special Educational Needs. Ellen has a wide experience working in primary schools with learners from diverse social backgrounds and a variety of complex special educational needs. Ellen has always maintained a learner centred approach to teaching and believes in reducing barriers to create pathways to success. Ellen joined Young Giants with a commitment to helping learners realise their full potential with individually tailored care-centred programmes of education support.
PMLD Lead - Antonio Sanchez
Antonio graduated with a degree in Pedagogy and a second degree in Physical Education in 2012 and 2014 respectively, moving on to complete master’s degrees in Vocational Training and Remote Learning. During his career he has gained extensive experience teaching children and young people with SLD and SEMH in various settings including prisons, the community and classrooms. In Spain he worked as a trainer, supporting young offenders to reach their social integration and employability outcomes. Since joining Young Giants in 2020 Antonio has specialised in supporting learners with profound and multiple learning disabilities, becoming a Registered Behaviour Technician with the Autism Partnership Foundation.
Education Programme Lead & DDSL - Anna Wildmore
Anna graduated in 2018 with a degree in Scriptwriting and Performance. She then went on to work in the education and care sector delivering classes and workshops in drama and dance for all ages, utilising a therapeutic approach. Anna has spent the last few years of her life dedicated to working on the front line with vulnerable learners in a residential school setting for autism and other associated conditions. Anna joined Young Giants with a determination to use her knowledge and experience to advocate for children's needs and to facilitate better outcomes for young people across the country.
Senior Education Facilitator - Millie Gratrix
Millie joined Young Giants in 2022 with a strong background in education administration and a passion for restoring learners’ confidence in education, no matter the barriers they face. Focussed on a career in education management, Millie is undertaking a BA(Hons) in Education with the Open University part-time. Since joining Young Giants, she has progressed from Education Administrator to Education Facilitator, taking a more hands on role in arranging bespoke programmes of education for our learners.