School Library

Mayfield School is proud to offer two well-stocked libraries: one dedicated to Years 7 and 8, and the other serving students from Year 9 and above.

Our collections are carefully curated to reflect and support the curriculum, cater to the leisure interests of both students and staff, and provide ample opportunities for reading for pleasure. These physical resources are complemented by our extensive online eLibrary.

We continuously update our collection with titles that not only engage and inform but also foster a lifelong love of reading, a habit which can positively support mental health and well-being.

In addition to a wide range of academic resources, including the Hodder A Level Review magazines and JSTOR, our libraries offer dedicated support for research and study. Both libraries also serve as versatile teaching spaces, and we provide specialised topic boxes for classroom projects on subjects like WWII and the Holocaust, local history, and the Olympics.

We also enrich our students' literary experience through author visits, particularly as part of our World Book Day celebrations. Past guests have included renowned authors such as Linda Newbery, Lauren St John, Robin Stevens, and Carnegie winner Anthony McGowan.

Main School Library

Located on the ground floor of Becket, the Main School Library is the larger of our two libraries. It offers students a space for personal study, reading, and supervised study sessions.

In collaboration with the English department, we hold weekly library lessons for Years 9 and 10. During these sessions, students can explore new titles, discuss their current reads, make recommendations to peers, and participate in activities and quizzes designed to enhance their library skills.

Lower School Library

Situated just off the main Lower School communal space, this library serves our Year 7 and 8 students, who have a library lesson once every fortnight. During this time, they participate in the Champion Read scheme, designed to encourage students to read a range of fiction and non fiction, poetry and prose, and to give each girl a broad experience of literature.  

These lessons also cover the use of the computerised catalogue, research skills, and include fun activities and quizzes that introduce new titles.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Our Pupil Librarians take pride in managing the libraries, with responsibilities that include creating displays and contributing ideas to promote and celebrate reading in all its forms.

Mayfield School also offers several book clubs catering to different year groups. Notably, the Carnegie Book Club participates in the Yoto Carnegie Shadowing Award and the Southern Schools Book Award.