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Making a
Making a

Mark with
Mark with

Millfi eld eld
Millfi

Now and Then: Mark Greenow as a young camp counsellor and as he is today

Mark Greenow’s fi rst summer school was 41 years ago. Now the Director of
Millfi eld’s summer courses, he tells Melanie Butler what he has learned

Do you remember the fi rst summer school you worked in What was the thing you were most proud of in your latest
over 41 years ago? inspection?
Looking back on my first summer school now it seems like another The buzzword this time was “triangulation” which means
world – it was Camp America in the late 70’s. Not EFL at all. I was an that inspectors separately interview key individuals and groups
Activity Assistant. of stakeholders. Then they check that we are not only all saying
I always tell the staff I have done all their jobs. I am getting the same things but also that we are all putting the theory into
nostalgic in my old age. My theme tune when I make a speech is One practice.
Direction’s “History.” So, what I am most proud of by far is the support and consistency of
all the staff, group leaders and students who stayed on message. I think
What do you know now that you wish you had our results prove above all else that we have an ingrained and shared
known then? sense of purpose and great teamwork.
It took me quite a few more summer schools – in various roles – to
realise I was part of something important, potentially life changing. British boarding schools have their own ethos, their
I wish I had known then that the intense shared experience philosophy. Many of us have heard of the
would stay with me forever. So many memories, even ‘Millfi eld way’ – the special Millfi eld ethos –
some of my first students’ names. It felt like all my I think our but how is it different?
senses were heightened. It was all so new and Jack Meyer, the founding headmaster said,
exciting. I consciously try to engineer this feeling of results prove above “I wanted to create a school where talent – in
wonder, feel good factor, fun, into all my courses. all else that we have whatever field – could be nurtured through

opportunities for young people to exercise and
Millfi eld is known in EFL for looking after an ingrained and the best facilities, teaching, coaching and
teachers and students. You recruit 100 shared sense of explore their abilities.”
teachers a year. What are you looking for? In short, we still believe that everybody is good
We try to employ interested and interesting purpose and great at something, whether that be tennis, cooking,
teachers, “Good Campers” who get it and get it teamwork. maths or the violin. We strive to help every
done. I always tell them the more they give the student develop that talent within.
students the more they will get back.
But we also believe teachers are here to teach. They And the summer school refl ects that…
can expect a truly supportive environment. We offer regular insets, It reflects that through our full-immersion process-based
study support, guest speakers. syllabus. We run a truly holistic programme full of learning
Most importantly we give them space and time to think, prepare experiences, planned and spontaneous, inside and outside the
and develop. They teach in the mornings. They don’t have to put their classroom. The Millfield way.
shorts on in the afternoon and run around unless they want to.
We are lucky – about sixty per cent of our academic team return Finally, what has been your greatest achievement?
every summer.
I’m passionate about what I do. Each individual student is important
to me. I know the best thing I can give them to help them improve
You have just aced your latest British Council inspection – their English is a friend.
13 areas of strength. What was the biggest challenge?
One advantage of the passage of time is that I have been able to see
Like all seasonal providers, we are inspected on the same criteria as many of them grow up into fine individuals. I know that the summer
year-round schools. That’s the challenge, when suddenly it’s summer and school was an important part of their development because they tell me
my wonderful full-time team of 14 or so swells to 300 plus. We induct so. I regret the few, that for whatever reason, perhaps got away.
them, get the school going and then, it seems, the inspectors arrive. I feel that my greatest achievement – shared with many colleagues –
I must add, though, and I have been through many inspections in is that we have touched countless young lives. Who knows, maybe the
my career, that I firmly believe in the process. world is an ever so slightly better place because of this.
editorial@elgazette.com 35