About Me

Hello!

I’m Charlotte—the founder of Bowman Learn and Play.

I believe that when a child’s confidence comes first, their potential is limitless.

As a former qualified primary teacher with over a decade of experience across state and private schools, I’ve spent my career helping children thrive—from the early years (EYFS) through to Year 4. While my heart has always been in the classroom, the birth of my second child inspired me to create a different kind of educational space.

Since launching in 2024, Bowman Learn and Play has grown into a vibrant community. Whether I’m leading outdoor maths groups, hosting online book clubs, or facilitating our successful home education sessions, my philosophy remains the same:

Child-led, play-focused, and confidence-first.

I’ve seen firsthand that children achieve their best when they are truly engaged. My goal is to move away from "desk-only" learning and ignite a genuine curiosity in every student I work with, whether in a group setting or 1:1 tuition.

Let’s rediscover the joy of learning together.

Family- the heart of everything

I’m a mum to three fabulous boys; Fraser, Arran and Brodie. We can often be found play or walking outside or using magnetic tiles or duplo to build and knock down exciting constructions.

Family is the heartbeat of Bowman Learn and Play; being able to grow my business around my children—and often having them join me at sessions—makes this the best job in the world.

This family-first ethos extends to every student and parent I work with. I want every child to feel happy, safe, and confident in our sessions. To support this:

Parents are always welcome: While our sessions are available as "drop-off," you are always welcome to stay or join in.
Consistent Communication: I provide verbal feedback after every session. I want you to feel connected to your child's progress so you can celebrate their wins alongside them.
Active Engagement: Research shows that when parents are actively engaged in their child’s learning journey, it has a massive positive impact on their success and confidence.

I’m here to support your family as much as your child.

Education and Experience

As a child, I was fortunate to experience a range of worlds. Moving to France as a toddler and attending school near Paris gave me an early perspective on different ways of living and learning. Upon returning to the UK, I attended a mix of state and private schools, eventually finishing my education at Tonbridge Grammar School. Although I navigated language barriers and dyslexia, my innate love of learning never wavered.

After a period in the workforce, I attended university to study Childhood Studies, graduating with a First Class Honours (1:1). My studies allowed me to dive deep into:

Child Development & The Early Years: Understanding how children grow and learn.
Educational Philosophies: Exploring global systems, including a placement in a French primary school.
Children’s Rights: My dissertation focused on the medical rights of children. This research sparked my passion for creating spaces where children feel safe, have the autonomy to choose their activities, and can define their own learning paths.

I qualified as a teacher through a GTP with PGCE, which led to roles across a variety of state and private schools. While I have taught in Reception and Year 4, my primary focus has been Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2).

My time in the classroom has been my greatest teacher. It reinforced my belief that every child is unique and thrives on personalised opportunities. I have seen firsthand that when we place confidence and enjoyment at the heart of education, successful outcomes naturally follow.