TP Camps has developed and evolved from the original Barnes Summer Play School which was founded by Yvonne Wake in 1989 and was joined by our current Principal, Paul in 2014.
Paul Dowsett
Principal
I have worked with children and young people throughout my career, in various settings for 29 years. When I’m not running our much-loved Holiday Camp you can find me working as the Wrap Around Care and Support Staff Manager in Collis School during term time.
When Yvonne founded our camp so many years ago, her vision was for it to be a vibrant, playful space where children could be inspired and encouraged to play artistically and creatively and have fun in a safe and secure environment. Values we embrace to this day.
The team are dynamic and encouraging. Parents can relax knowing that our qualified, experienced play workers will get to know your child’s individuality and take really good care of them.
My own son and other family members have all contributed to the success of this family run business which we all so proud of cherish.
Many of the team at TP Camps have grown up coming to us when they were children and loved it so much, they wanted to be part of the team who bring the magic which is extraordinary. That’s what I call organic!
Our Camps have gone from strength to strength and flourished over the years and I am proud to be the principal.
I am so excited by the move to our new site at Collis School and can’t wait to see our children make awesome memories in our incredible, new, spacious environment.
Heather Busby-Steers
Senior Manager
I was first introduced to TP camps in 2017 by Paul.
Paul and I worked together previously for about 4 years, at various youth camps, and early years settings.
We knew we worked very well together, and I was excited to re-join him at TP Camps.
I was instantly mesmerised by the enrichment the children were getting and how organic the summer school was. Needless to say I put my name down for the following year to help out and become part of the team. The summer school and activity camp has grown each year.
It’s become an amazing, unique school.
I was appointed as the manager of the TP Adventure Camp team after a couple of years and am now so proud to be the Senior Manager of this incredible out of school camp. I currently work part time at a primary school in Richmond and part time managing the summer school.
I’m extremely excited to see us grow even more whilst retaining our organic and unique status and we can’t wait to welcome you to our family.
Our Aims & Objectives
Our Summer Playschool has been running since 1989, and the Adventure Camp for older children was added in 2003.
At TP Camps children have enormous fun and enjoy being children! Our aim is to bring out a child’s individuality, and we support this with creative and artistic play.
Structure: There is a firm structure to each day, and we encourage good discipline as well as plenty of fun. We aim to give the children a full day with interesting creative projects as well as the possibility to just sit and have calm reading moments whenever they feel the need.
Communication: Communication and interaction between staff and children are very important – we encourage sharing and helping each other. We listen to the children, and we support them in their need to express themselves. We expect good manners and kindness towards each other and will help children to achieve this.
Inclusivity: We welcome children from all backgrounds, and are always looking for ways to improve and learn more about the children we see each year. All activities on site are based around giving the children an opportunity to learn the importance of other cultures and the world around them, as well as stretch their imaginations and creative skills. A lot of our returning children come from various countries around the world.
Outdoor play: We take full advantage of the surrounding parks and try to do as many outdoor activities as possible on all good weather days. We concentrate on the children and their individual needs. We respect them and actively encourage them to have fun!
Our reputation: TP Camps has worked very hard over the years to achieve the good reputation that it now holds in the London Borough of Richmond. We work on the premise that children are our future, and as teachers/carers/parents it is important to us to make them feel special, loved, and cared for during the time that they spend with us.
We believe in fun, laughter, listening to the children, talking to them, creating with them, allowing them their space, giving them calm and relaxing times as well as energetic fun and exercise time.
