Since opening its doors four years ago, Code Ninjas Welwyn Garden City has been the ultimate dojo for young tech enthusiasts – welcoming local kids to dive into the world of coding in a fun, inclusive and supportive environment. With a mission to empower the next generation of digital creators, Centre Owner Bhavna Patel and Centre Director Chrysoula Lazaraki are reflecting on an exciting four-year journey filled with growth, creativity and community.

Originally from Greece, Chrysoula’s career began as a barrister and law educator, but, after moving to the UK, she found her calling in teaching. Inspired by her son’s experience as a Sensei – Code Ninjas’ term for instructors – at the Enfield centre, Chrysoula joined Code Ninjas Welwyn Garden City. Here, she discovered a fresh way to channel her passion for empowering young people and helping them build valuable skills for the future.

“Since I joined Code Ninjas, it’s felt like much more than a job,” said Chrysoula. “I even moved to Welwyn Garden City to be closer to the dojo, which I jokingly call my ‘second child’ – now four years old! Our team here is like a family, and every day I see our students grow in confidence and ability. I couldn’t be prouder.”

At Code Ninjas, kids aged 5 to 14 learn how to code in a safe, inclusive and social learning environment where gaming is celebrated and STEM is cool. The programme allows kids to dive into fun, challenging, and rewarding projects and activities that engage them and develop skills to benefit their future.

Looking back on her four years with Code Ninjas, Chrysoula is reminded of so many memorable moments that highlight just how much the centre’s support has meant to its students and their families. “During our first Christmas, a student facing challenges at home chose to spend extra time with us because he felt safe and supported here,” recalled Chrysoula. “Moments like this really highlight the strong community we’re building. I also remember a parent who teaches computer science telling me how impressed she was with her child’s coding skills – she even used one of our student’s games in her lectures!”

Building an inclusive community is at the heart of what Chrysoula, Bhavna and the team do at Code Ninjas, where they have worked to create a welcoming space for kids of all backgrounds and abilities. “An inclusive environment is essential to us,” said Chrysoula. “Our team is trained to support children with additional needs, including those on the autism spectrum. Parents often share how much they appreciate this approach, and it’s why we see such strong loyalty and retention. And it doesn’t stop there – we love forming strong connections with parents too. After every session, I meet with them to discuss their child’s progress. That personal touch makes all the difference.”

A true testament to the centre’s nurturing environment, many students – or Ninjas – have progressed to become Senseis themselves. “Although it’s not our primary goal, we take immense pride in seeing our Ninjas reach a point where they’re eager to become Senseis,” explained Chrysoula. “It’s one of the many things that sets us apart from a typical learning centre – we’re helping young people build essential skills for life.”

Life skills that two young people have truly appreciated since joining Code Ninjas: “I started my coding journey four years ago,” said Shashish. “We began with the fundamentals of programming in Scratch, moved on to the basics of JavaScript, explored Lua and eventually learned C#. I’ve been creating games in Unity ever since. Now, at 14 years old, thanks to Code Ninjas, I feel confident in my skills and logical thinking to pursue software engineering in my A-levels and beyond. I've gained a vast number of skills and it’s been a genuinely fun way to learn. Thanks, Code Ninjas!”

For Maahi, the resilience they developed with the help of Senseis not only helped them earn a Black Belt but also inspired them to become a Sensei themselves: “I was taught and mentored by talented, dedicated Senseis who were incredibly patient with all the students. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my Black Belt assignment. Their motivation helped me reach Black Belt and become a Junior Sensei. Being a Junior Sensei has taught me so many valuable skills and I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” said Maahi.

Looking ahead, Bhavna, who co-founded Code Ninjas in Welwyn Garden City with her husband Pradip, is excited about the future and all the wonderful opportunities the centre has in store for the community. “We have big plans, including achieving Ofsted registration to allow us to accept childcare vouchers – making our programmes accessible to even more families,” shared Bhavna. “Our aim is to ensure Code Ninjas Welwyn Garden City continues to grow as a community hub for learning and connection in the years to come.”

To learn more about Code Ninjas Welwyn Garden City, visit www.codeninjas.co.uk/welwyn-garden-city-hrt-uk