We are a leading Catholic independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Our academic results are excellent, our extra-curricular activities plentiful, our pastoral care exemplary – but above all else, Mayfield is a happy school. We hope this website will give you a clear sense of why we are so proud of our School and our pupils. Our latest ISI inspection report states that the quality of education at Mayfield is “excellent”. Country Life magazine described Mayfield as “one of the finest schools in the land.”
Girls choose their GCSE subjects in the Spring Term of Year 9. During Years 10 and 11, most girls will study nine GCSE subjects. In order to ensure that every Mayfield girl is equipped with a good balance of skills and knowledge, certain subjects remain compulsory at GCSE level. These subjects constitute what is known as the ‘core curriculum’, and include English Literature and Language (or International English for girls for whom English is a second language), Mathematics, Science (a choice of two separate Sciences, or Trilogy – a combined science course worth two GCSEs), and Religious Studies.
In addition, girls can then choose three options from a substantial list of subjects including Art and Design, Biology, Ceramics, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Drama, Food and Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Physics and Spanish.
Greek is offered as part of the extra curricular programme and girls in the Newton Maths group also have the option of taking Further Maths.
The guiding principles of the A Level course at Mayfield (Years 12 and 13) continue to be breadth and depth, and the School embraces the increased richness and diversity of academic exploration that A Levels offer. Most Mayfield girls start the Sixth Form studying three subjects of their choice, although a minority of students may study four A levels if their academic profile suggests that they will excel. Many students will also undertake an EPQ.
The educational value of the Sixth Form experience at Mayfield is further enhanced by the Enrichment Programme, which has been created to provide a variety of alternative opportunities for the girls. It offers them many different ways to extend and develop their learning and skills, to get involved in discussion and debate, to pursue a particular interest, and to try something different or new to them.
