Best friends Charlie and Robin bring kids coding Dojo to Aylesbury
A brand-new kid coding studio, Code Ninjas Aylesbury, has launched to support local children who want to explore coding outside of the classroom. Through hands-on learning, children aged 7-14 are taught how to code by building robots and creating their own games that friends and family can play at home. Run by two best friends, Robin Theakston and Charlie Gunn, Code Ninjas provides a facility for kids to learn exciting new skills in a fun and inspiring environment. Based within the Aylesbury campus of Buckinghamshire New University, the new studio is a parent-free zone and a hub for gamers and budding coders.
The new business comes at a time when digital technology is driving extraordinary global changes that some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The national curriculum makes it clear that computing is needed at key stages one to four and that ‘a high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world’1. However, a recent Ofsted report found that the typical time given to computing at school is inadequate to equip children with these fundamental communication skills.
“Between us, we have five children – I have two boys, aged seven and ten, and a daughter who is 11,” said Charlie. “I’m super proud that my daughter is attending our sessions - like all kids her age, she loves anything to do with gaming, drones and robots. I’ve spent much of my career working in finance which, like most sectors over the course of the last decade, has become more reliant on technology. It’s obvious to me that our kids’ lives will be hugely improved by understanding how coding works. The future is exciting, but our children need to be prepared. We want to help give children all the tools they need to succeed.”
“A key motivator for launching this business together is our desire to create a different experience for children living locally,” added Robin. “There are so many after-school clubs and weekend camps out there for children that have a passion for sport or the arts, but nothing that encourages a love of coding. Recently Ofsted has highlighted a lack of time dedicated to the coding curriculum. We want to support local children to feel confident in their own digital abilities and passions. As a dad of two, it’s something I feel particularly passionate about.”
As you can imagine, Code Ninjas like to do things a little differently. Students are called Ninjas, the teachers are called Code Senseis, and the studio is called the Dojo. Ninjas work through a colour-coded programme to earn wristbands - or belts - just like in martial arts. 'Belt-up' ceremonies mark a Ninja's progress and graduation to the next level.
Ninjas can attend sessions up to twice a week at a time that is convenient for the whole family – so that doesn’t have to mean the same day and time every week. Coding camps run during half-term and the summer holidays where kids can attend during the week, filling up activity schedules for busy parents. The studio is also open on Saturdays, allowing families to make the most of the handy location.
With an already successful Dojo in High Wycombe and 40 sign-ups for their Aylesbury sessions, which launched at the start of the month, Charlie and Robin are looking to reach even more tech-passionate children throughout the county.
“Having worked in the education sector for the majority of my career, I’m passionate about supporting children wherever I can,” said Robin. “But we’re also keen to bring credible and valuable work experience opportunities to budding Senseis. We’ve already recruited a great team of young, energetic tech-lovers who share our dedication for developing local children’s love of coding. The majority of our Senseis are school leavers or university students with an interest in STEM and we’re keen to welcome more into the team as student numbers grow.”
To make the most of the introductory offers available at Code Ninjas or to enquire about employment opportunities, visit https://www.codeninjas.co.uk/aylesbury-bkm-uk
1 National curriculum in England: framework for key stages 1 to 4, Department for Education, December 2014