Mayfield School
Mayfield, East Sussex, England
Mayfield School
Mayfield, East Sussex, England
Overview
Mayfield is a leading Catholic boarding and day school for girls set amid the restored buildings of a 14th century Archbishop’s palace in a picturesque rural village only 75km from London. After 150 years of nurturing generations of confident, enterprising, resilient and creative young women in preparing to take their place on the global stage, the School continues to deliver excellent academic results and prolific extra-curricular activities, all underpinned by exemplary pastoral care.
At a glance
Academic
Highly-qualified, dedicated staff teach a broad curriculum that offers 24 subjects at A Level or Pre-U, with equal value placed on every subject. Tutors are the first point of contact for pastoral care and weekly Tutor-Time provides a forum for discussion. Facilities include a 9 laboratory Science Centre and a new Sixth Form Centre. At A Level around 50% of candidates typically achieve A*/A and 75% A*/B. Added value performance is very strong with an average of 1 whole grade gained at GCSE.
Boarding
Each of the 4 boarding houses has a resident housemistress who is also on the teaching staff, assisted by resident and non-resident tutors and a matron. Allocating the girls to Houses by age group allows staff to focus on the social and academic considerations most relevant at each stage. Homely pleasures such as weekend house breakfasts are interwoven with a work and activity schedule designed to encourage the girls to educate themselves and each other as they progress through the School.
Sports
The girls are encouraged to participate and develop a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Facilities include a recently installed Astroturf and all-weather netball/tennis courts, an indoor heated 25m swimming pool, a fitness suite, a well-equipped gymnasium and an on-site Equestrian Centre. Other sports available include lacrosse, athletics, fencing and badminton. Dance is an important part of Physical Education at the School with ballet, jazz and contemporary dance all taught in the modern dance studio.
Creative arts
5 Ceramics and Art studios and a well-equipped Textiles room allow the three subjects to be offered together as Pre-U Creative Arts. Major drama productions are staged in collaboration with local boys’ schools and a production is toured every 2 years. Half of pupils take music lessons each week in the purpose-built Music School whilst the range of choirs and ensembles showcases the girls’ talents in the 14th century Chapel, the refurbished Concert Hall or the Courtyard performance space.
Did you know?
- The Ceramics Department has an international reputation and in 2015 a pupil was one of only 20 out of 20,000 chosen to exhibit her work in the renowned Saatchi Gallery.
- The Equestrian Centre has an Olympic-size arena and a professionally designed Cross-Country course, and the School team have been National Champions 11 times in 25 years.
