A long standing Wellington School teacher has won a prestigious national award.
Former Head of Sixth Form and all-round superstar Dan Millington has won the Independent Schools of the Year Award 2022 for Un-sung Hero! He accepted his award at a glittering ceremony in Knightsbridge, accompanied by his lovely family – Head of Wellington Prep School and long-time colleague Vics Richardson gave a moving tribute to him.
Never has an award been more richly deserved – Dan embraces school life with every breath. For decades he has led expeditions trekking across the ice caps of Iceland and Greenland, through the mountains of the High Atlas and Dolomites and hiked to remote villages in the Himalayas, run the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, coached the football team, organised quizzes, balls and events and helped in the Development function as well as teaching Geography!
Dan has been a valued and integral part of the Wellington School community for 26 years. His previous career was as extraordinary as his subsequent one. He served as a Royal Marine Commando with the diverse training that entails, headed up a mine clearing operation as part of a wider UN programme in Cambodia and completed extensive field work in the glaciated regions of the world for his Masters.
Dan arrived at Wellington School as a geography teacher and his passion for his subject has inspired generations of students to pursue this at University level and beyond, but his teaching input is just the start.
As Head of the Sixth Form for 21 years, he mentored thousands of students on pastoral and academic matters. His work as UCAS co-ordinator has given him encyclopaedic knowledge of the university entry system and he has advised, cajoled and nagged students to pursue their applications. He has written references, advised on personal statements and provided superb post-results/clearing/emergency advice.
The enrichment element of the Sixth Form burgeoned under his leadership, with Future Steps, Challenge of Leadership and Academic Enrichment programmes developed to enhance the student experience.
Dan comes into his own creating memorable, life-changing adventures for students. He has led and organised over 130 multi-day school trips and expeditions – well over 500 days giving students incredible, lifetime skills and memories.
Dan has some of the highest qualifications in the UK outdoor industry with International Mountain Leader and Winter Mountain Leader awards.
He has led expeditions trekking across the ice caps of Iceland and Greenland, through the mountains of the High Atlas and Dolomites and hiked to remote villages in the Himalayas, where the pupils spent time helping rebuild a school following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. They have ridden camels into the Sahara, crossed rivers on Elephants, cycled from Bordeaux to Barcelona, and Nice to Venice over the stringent Tour de France routes. Students have pushed themselves both physically and mentally on trips that are self-organised, self-led and not possible through any known tour provider. He engages with local people and deals directly with them, supporting the local economy whilst immersing the pupils in the culture and teaching them the importance of respect and empathy. Even the restrictions on travel over the past two years have not deterred him and he organised a trek along the Hebridean Way in July 2021. In his latest exploit, he and intrepid Sixth Formers climbed the Scottish Dozen, 12 mountains in 12 days.
He is one of the most loved and respected teachers that the school has ever known, and a lifelong friend to those he has taught and worked with.