About Class of Their Own

Class Of Their Own was started by Sam Williams in 2001. How did it begin?

Sam

I had been teaching in a primary school for a few years before deciding to go travelling. Whilst on my travels I was contemplating doing something different on my return to the UK.

My original eureka moment was whilst lying on a beach in India, I decided to start a tutoring agency, and the name 'Class Of Their Own' was born.

At the time, there was lots in the press about how children fall back academically during the school holidays and so I decided to gather a few teaching friends to help run a holiday club over the summer holiday, with the focus on learning through play.

As time has moved on we have put less focus on learning and more on creating clubs as a place where the emphasis is on playing and having fun.

As the company expanded it was becoming too busy for me on my own so I asked Tanya (my big sister) to join the company in 2006.

Tanya

I had never really envisaged myself having a career working with children!During my twenties I spent a lot of time travelling whilst trying to work out what I wanted to do. In 1998 I started working for a software company in London as a receptionist.

Within a couple of weeks I had been promoted to Office Manager, and by the time I left in 2005 I was the European Marketing Manager with 2 members of staff working for me.

I left seeking a new but unknown challenge - so reverting to form, I decided to go travelling again! When I came back, I started helping Sam out as the company was growing too big for her to manage on her own. One day she asked me if I wanted to join her, and here I am with a completely new and different challenge! Since I joined I have been putting my office and marketing skills to use.

Class Of Their Own Timeline

2001 First holiday club opened at Middle Street School, Brighton
2002 Moved the holiday club to Davigdor, as more space
2002 Opened after school and holiday club at West Hove School
2003 Opened after school and holiday club at Stanford Junior School
2004 Opened holiday club at Peter Gladwin
2005 Moved into a small office
2006 Opened after school and holiday club at Portslade Infant School
2006 Tanya joined Class Of Their Own as co-director
2007 Opened after school and holiday club at Downs Junior School
2007 Opened after school club at St Paul's School
2008 Opened after school club at Mile Oak Primary
2008 Moved to a larger office
2008 Awarded Brighton and Hove Business in the Community Award
2008 Awarded Southern FM/UPS Business in the Community Award
2008 Opened after school club at St Bartholomew's School
2009 Opened our first club in West Sussex at Holmbush Primary School
2009 Received Ofsted 'outstanding' grading following an inspection at St Paul's School