Introduction

For over 130 years Mayfield has provided intellectual challenge for each individual at each age and stage of her education and fostered in her a love of learning. We educate girls to develop their known talents and to discover their hidden ones.

We have a wide range of exceptionally successful academic departments. Inspirational teaching, from highly-qualified and dedicated staff, enables our girls to blossom in expected and, often, in quite unexpected areas. This is due to the equal value which we place on every subject and to the breadth of curriculum we offer. Girls are always encouraged to do their best and given the confidence they need to succeed.

Creativity is a central feature of the academic life of the school and is a thread which runs through the whole curriculum. The exceptional work produced in the creative and performing arts departments is a manifestation of this but it is evident in all subject areas. Individualism and independence of thought, based on sound knowledge and understanding in each subject area, are thus encouraged.

This development of an independent mind is reflected in the pupils’ A level choices.  Unusually in a girls’ school, chemistry and mathematics often have the highest number of students enrolled but the girls will combine these subjects with a creative art, a language, a social science. The freedom to combine an eclectic set of subjects at A level is characteristic of the school and equips Mayfield girls with qualifications to take them successfully into all walks of life.

The achievement of good examination results is important and Mayfield girls take each set of examinations in their stride and invariably perform well above expectation. Our focus is not, however, exclusively to this end and we encourage a balanced approach to academic studies and to the development of the whole person.

Marion McGovern BA (Hons), Cert Ed
Deputy Head Academic

Marion McGovern joined the school as Head of Mathematics in 1989, having previously worked in both maintained and independent schools. She subsequently served as Head of Sixth Form and Senior Mistress at Mayfield before taking up her current post in 1999. She has seen the successful transition of the school from religious to lay leadership.