Leeds House

leedshouse@mayfieldgirls.org

Located adjacent to Lower School, Leeds House is home to the Year 7 and 8 boarders, who sleep in rooms of two to four girls. Opened in 2005, it is named after the Duchess of Leeds who generously donated the Old Palace to Cornelia Connelly to establish a school at Mayfield.  The House has a cosy common room, a quiet room, IT suite, a kitchen and a laundry, as well as the girls’ bedrooms that contain two, three or four beds each.

It is our aim in Leeds House to make sure that all the girls feel happy and confident as they begin their boarding life. We try to have few rules, focusing instead on kindness and consideration towards each other, and living together according to the Cornelian principles whether working, having fun, or relaxing. The girls are encouraged to look out for each other and to ask for help with anything that is concerning them. Proactive and experienced House staff are always on hand, ready to support the girls, helping them with any difficulties they face, and celebrating their joys and achievements with them.

Miss Petra Kotesovska (Housemistress) and Miss Manal El Adel (Assistant Housemistress) run the Boarding House with assistance from our Resident Tutors, Mrs Gaelle McGovern and Mr Dan Smith, who lead the evening activities and are in the House some weekends. At least one member of staff sleeps within the House to whom the girls have access at night if they are unwell.

On weekday evenings there is always something going on in the House, from craft activities to Zumba, meditation to Maypole dancing. Saturday mornings start with a supervised study session, then a choice of riding, dance, textiles or cookery. In the afternoons, a programme of varied activities is offered and these change each week. On Sunday after Mass, we always do something together as a House. It might be a trip to the local cinema, a High Ropes course, or a chocolate making experience. It could be a wide game around the School or in the local woodland. Sometimes we have a Silly Olympics or a Leeds House Bake Off. The Leeds girls are busy and involved in the life of their community, and are often chosen to guide visitors around the School. Their involvement in every area of School life prepares them for the transition to Middle School and the challenges that await them there.