Play Academy

Hi there! I’m Karen Holmes, manager and owner of Play Academy. In the Summer of 2019, my life took a huge, exciting turn when I took on this wonderful club. Up until then, I had spent 20 years as a very happy & successful Primary School teacher. During my time as a teacher, I had the pleasure of working with many, many children across the primary age range. I also trained as a student mentor and worked alongside trainee teachers supporting & developing practice. In addition to this I was also responsible for the PSHE curriculum across the whole school, an area I am still massively passionate about. Whilst building my career as an educator, I was also bringing up my two gorgeous sons Toby & Zach. Because I was juggling being a mum with being a teacher, I fully understand the desire parents have for quality wrap around care for children; it’s something my husband and I accessed for our two lovely boys during their primary years. As my career progressed and opportunities were being put in front of me, I paused for a bit and realised that teaching was no longer for me. I was spending less and less time doing the things that had steered me into teaching in the first place; planning, creating & facilitating new and fun quality experiences for children. I wanted to get back to just having ‘fun’ with little people, blowing bubbles, building dens, playing boards games, enjoying the outdoors and most of all…….laughing! To allow children a comfortable, home from home space to practise being good citizens, develop key life skills and master the art of a two way conversation.