Fynnlugh Greenfield-Brown
Fynn, now 24, has built a successful career as a Location Sound Recordist in the film industry after graduating from the National Film and Television School. His journey from a struggling student with dyslexia to a confident professional showcases how Bruern Abbey’s supportive environment can help students discover their strengths and potential. Fynn credits his time at Bruern for rebuilding his confidence and providing him with the foundation needed to pursue his passion for sound and filmmaking.
Before Bruern
“Before coming to Bruern Abbey, I attended St. Paul’s Cathedral School where I was first diagnosed with dyslexia. It was incredibly challenging there. The teachers simply weren’t equipped to support students like me with learning differences.
They ended up isolating me from regular classes and even sports activities. I would be taken out of lessons and made to sit in the library for most of the day while watching other students participate in activities like sports. It was confusing and frustrating.
The biggest issue about being dyslexic to me wasn’t actually the work itself. It was feeling like I just had no idea what was going on. I felt completely lost while everyone else seemed to understand everything perfectly.
My Time at Bruern
Coming to Bruern Abbey marked a real turning point for me. Though I initially found boarding difficult, I quickly came to appreciate the more supportive learning environment.
I won’t pretend the boarding experience was always easy. I’d often get Sunday evening anxiety and stomach aches about returning to school. My weekends at home felt very precious, and I’d get frustrated when family commitments took away from my limited time there. But once I was back at school, things were completely fine throughout the week.
What really made the difference at Bruern was that everyone was learning at a similar pace. There was no feeling of being ‘in the bottom third’ or having ‘everyone waiting for you to finish.’ This collaborative environment where challenges were shared rather than isolating helped rebuild my confidence. I remember when John Floyd joined Bruern, likely in my last year there – that was a significant change for the school.
Life After Bruern
After Bruern, I attended Portland Place where I repeated Year 8, before going to college and then university. I completed my education at the National Film and Television School, where I combined my interest in sound technology with filmmaking to build my current career.
I initially wanted to be a music producer but found I didn’t enjoy sitting in front of a computer for hours. So I combined my sound knowledge with my interest in filmmaking, which led me to where I am today.
What’s interesting is that my professional life now rarely presents challenges related to my dyslexia. Modern technology has eliminated many barriers – I haven’t used a pen or pencil for like, two years outside of signing my name! The specific skills required in my sound recording work align well with my strengths, and any administrative challenges can be overcome with the tools we have available now.
Looking back, I wouldn’t be where I am today without those foundational years at Bruern. They gave me the confidence and understanding I needed to find my own path forward.”