Any experience out there of Mayfield Girls School please?

[MumOfStarWars]

Considering it for Yr7 entry, day or flexi boarding. I’ve heard it’s solid academically and keeps the girls very busy… maybe too busy? Also heard it’s a very long day? On the flip side I’ve heard others speak v highly of producing well mannered “all rounder” girls which is an appealing prospect!

Bump… hoping for any feedback!

I know a few who have left another T.Wells area all girls boarding to go there. Rave reviews about excellent pastoral but also higher standards (part of their reason for moving was academics).Girls all seem to be happy and there are lots of after school activities which the other school didn't offer, which attracts the boarders.

School day is 8.20 - 6pm but rarely homework to do at home until upper years. Two activity sessions are built into the day which girls can use to attend clubs or do prep. The pastoral care seems very good. We like the long days and the girls get to know each other well through the extra curricular activities. The food is good.

Thank you both, this is all very positive to hear. I like the sound of the academics being broken up with activity sessions, seems like a good brain break in a long day. My dd isn’t super academic so the appeal for us is that she’d get a really solid all round experience at Mayfield (assuming she’s offered a place 🤞) which I’ve not felt with other schools we’ve visited. It was certainly impressive, but not in an intimidating way, and my dd absolutely loved it. There was a very content, happy feel about the whole place I thought.

You’ve probably already made your decision by now, but in case others are considering it for next academic year, can’t praise the school enough. The staff are great, pastoral care is amazing and our DD loves it. They have a new head (last one sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer) who also has a daughter in the school. Next year there will be a bit of reshuffling in the staff but all positive from what I’ve seen and heard. My DD isn’t sporty either and has loved their arty side. Their ceramics dept is one of the best in Europe for a secondary school. Also offer courses for adults with their artist in residence. They also have a huge equestrian set up, so lots of girls are into that too. Hopefully next year the new wellness building will be open; there’s already quite an emphasis on girls’ mental wellbeing but I expect with the new building there will be more. SEN is brilliantly supported and I think something like 25% get some type of support? Senco is a former speech therapist herself, so she’s really good supporting teaching staff. Lots of staff also bring their dogs, and I think one of the extra curriculars is walking around the huge fields with a teacher and her pup after lunch. Parents are lovely and everyone is down to earth. The teachers are very accessible to the students and my DD usually emails with them directly with any questions she has. Class size is about 14 for current year 7, though some classes like Latin has as few as 7 in them.

Oh yes, and while they encourage girls to stay until 6pm and either do an activity or study sessions and that’s when mini buses leave, school ends at 4.30pm and you can collect your DD at that time if yours prefers to study at home.

Thanks @ThisFancyCyanStork so glad you found my post and taking the time to reply. We've registered as my DD will be 2025 entry. It sounds like your DD is having a very positive experience so far. That's helpful to know that you can actually collect at 4:30pm if needed/preferred. We plan to utilise the minibus service as well. Lovely to hear there are so many opportunities available, my DD enjoys horse riding so that's a big plus for her!

Interested in Mayfield for my daughter but she’s not at all horsey. In fact, although we have horses at home, she’s quite scared of them. Would Mayfield be a school she would feel welcome at, or do all the girls have at least a minor equestrian interest? Will she feel different and left out if she’s not riding? She’s much more into music and dance.

You absolutely do not need any interest in horses/equestrian to feel part of the school! Many girls do not ride/may never set foot in the equestrian centre. It’s a fabulous bonus if you do but definitely not a necessity. Choose it if you like the ethos, feel, academic results etc all the usual reasons you would choose a school, not if your daughter will/will not want to do horse riding.

That’s great @MumOfStarWarsthank you