Steve Wood

Founder and Managing Director of British Summer School

After many years running a prestigious boarding-school based Summer School, Steve founded British Summer School in 2020. Using his many years of experience, he wanted to create a Summer School that not only improved students’ level of English, but also had a strong focus on developing students’ personal and social skills and self-confidence, helping them to succeed in the future. With a very focused mind, the British Summer School portfolio was created.

A graduate of French with BA (Hons), a Master’s degree in Teaching French and a PGCE in Modern Languages, Steve is overall responsible for managing every aspect of the Summer School. Although a huge responsibility, he very much enjoys his role, which draws perfectly on his past professional experiences and combines his flair for business and passion for language learning.

In additional to running the Summer School, Steve runs a small software company and serves his local community as a volunteer Police Officer.

Steve lives with his wife Yolanda in Eastbourne. In his free time - not that he gets much! - he loves travelling, keeping up to date with the latest gadgets and going to the gym.

Yolanda Chimeno

Principal

Yolanda is highly qualified in the fields of education and psychology, having earned a BSc in Education and Psychology, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and having completed the theoretical modules towards a PhD in Educational Psychology and Didactics. She has also gained the DELTM (Diploma in English Language Teaching Management).

Yolanda has previous worked as Director of Studies and Teacher Trainer at International House in San Sebastian, Spain and was Assistant Principal of a well-known UK boarding-school based Summer School for many years.

As Principal, Yolanda has strategic responsibility for Admissions, Academics, Student Experience, Welfare and Quality Control. She is also actively involved in promoting the Summer School.

In her free time, Yolanda enjoys psychology, heath and nutrition, fashion, going to the gym and travelling.

Tom Darke

Business Development Manager

Tom joined British Summer School in May 2023 having been an International Business Development Manager at an English Language Summer School provider in the Southwest of England. During his many years in the industry, Tom has gained a wealth of sales and practical, hands-on experience in many of the various roles it takes to execute a successful summer school.

Tom works closely with Steve, Yolanda and the team creating and rolling out new courses whilst maintaining client relationships and developing new ones.  He also works on implementing the True Me philosophy, accreditation, staff training, quality control and welfare and safeguarding. Tom is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for British Summer School.

Based in Bristol, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, skateboarding, the performing arts, painting, and sculpting miniature models.

Danny Kenward

Operations Manager

Having worked with Steve and Yolanda at another junior residential Summer School for 8 years , Danny joined British Summer School in December 2022.

A highly experienced Summer School Operations Manager, Danny is responsible for operations and logistics such as transport and airport transfers, seasonal staff recruitment, exam enrolments, leisure programme and Health & Safety. Danny also does some marketing trips, which he enjoys.

Danny lives in Eastbourne, a short drive away from Steve and Yolanda. In his free time, he enjoys music (he plays the piano and guitar), football (he supports Tottenham) and spending time with his young family.

Ben Preston

Assistant Operations Manager

Ben joined British Summer School in November 2023 and helps Danny with all operations and logistics, including seasonal staff recruitment.

Having worked in farming and industrial vehicle maintenance previously, Ben also looks after Health & Safety for British Summer School; this is something Ben is particularly passionate about.

Ben lives in St Leonards between Hastings and Eastbourne with his wife and 2 young children. Ben is definitely a “hands-on” Dad and loves spending time with his family.

During his free time, Ben supports his local community as volunteer Police Officer working alongside one of the East Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Steve and Ben are crew partners and very much enjoy policing as well as working together.

Rebecca Jenkins

Admissions Assistant

With a degree in Journalism and a PGCert in Marketing, Rebecca has previously worked in many roles within the ESL industry and has a strong marketing background.

Prior to starting with British Summer School, Rebecca started her career in Student Services at a well–known language school and then moved onto marketing and sales for another institute. After this Rebecca wanted even more experience within the ESL industry and went on to teach English in South Korea for 2 years.

After returning to the UK, Rebecca continued to refine her marketing skills in both the B2B and B2C sectors until arriving at British Summer School, where she is responsible for admissions; this includes promoting the courses, processing enrolments and being the first port of call for any enquiries.

Mark Greenow

Consultant

Mark, with a degree in History, Master’s degree in English, PGCE, CELTA, DELTA and DELTM, is the highest qualified member of the British Summer School Head Office team.

Mark spent many years promoting and managing a large, highly successful junior residential summer school attached to a famous boarding school in South West England.

Having enticed Mark out of retirement, he now collaborates with British Summer School as Consultant.

Mark joins Team BSS to focus on the delivery of exceptional teaching, quality control and accreditation compliance checks during the summer.

Maria Conca

Consultant

Maria is an experienced English Language Teacher and DELTA-qualified Academic Manager and has collaborated with Steve and Yolanda for many years.

Living in Italy, Maria teaches both General English and EAP courses, designs language courses and syllabi and creates teaching materials and resources for a number of institutions including Cambridge University Press.

Maria collaborates with British Summer School on the academic side. She is responsible for syllabus design, developing materials, exam enrolments and all academic administration. When courses are in operation during the summer, Maria undertakes the role of Senior Academic Manager, managing and supporting a team of Directors of Studies and making sure that the academic programme is delivered and published to the highest possible standards.