The Founders
The Greenwich College story begins in January 2000 when Michael Ratcliff and Simon Cavell established their first English Language Centre in Osaka, Japan. They opened their first school in a restored 1920’s warehouse beside the lower reaches of the Yodo River. The school, which still flourishes today, specialises in teaching children and young adults and now has branches in Osaka, Toyonaka and Oyodo.
In 2005 they founded Greenwich College Sydney. Their goal was to build a high quality college offering courses in Vocational Training and English. They brought with them the combined experience of more than 30 years teaching, training and managing learning centers. Since its inception Greenwich College has been able to expand and grow in the Sydney, attracting dozens of new students every month and expanding its premises several times to cater for this demand.
The college has been able to grow by focusing on people, ensuring that their students receive first rate courses with all the support needed to thrive; and by attracting outstanding teachers, trainers and staff. These aims are reflected in the College Mission statement:
Greenwich College aims to provide a high quality learning experience for its students through the provision of first rate programs, teaching and services.
Key values of Greenwich College are:
- To focus on the educational needs of our students at all times
- To create a supportive, enjoyable environment for students and staff
- To employ highly capable, motivated teachers and staff
- To provide a wide range of services for our students including: work, accommodation and counseling.
As Greenwich College grows, so does the need to maintain and enhance this culture. The college has been fortunate to attract staff that understand and care about our students and their needs. Unlike so many education providers, Greenwich College is a school that that remains owned and managed by teachers, and one that keeps the emphasis squarely on students; their learning, their needs and their expectations.
.jpg) Simon Cavell (Founder/Director)B. Com, CELTA, Cert IV AWPT, Cert IV TESOL
Founder/Director
Simon, originally from Cambridge England, has been teaching at and managing schools and colleges in the UK, Italy, Japan and Australia since 1990. His studied economics at university and for many years worked at the head office of one of Japan’s largest education companies. In addition to his role as Chief of Operations at Greenwich College he is on the board of Totally Trained International and Redhill Education Pty Ltd.
 Michael Ratcliff (Founder/Director)M.Ed, B.A., Grad Cert TESOL, Cert IV AWPT, Cert IV TESOL, JP
Michael has been in teaching since 1991 in schools, colleges and universities in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and overseas in Japan, Korea and Thailand. He has been teacher-training and managing schools since 1997, and over this time has published several text books; designed curricula used by tens of thousands of students, and produced a range of accredited courses. Michael is also a Certificated IELTS Examiner and TOEIC Proctor, and a board member of Redhill Education and Totally Trained International. |
