First class: Mayfield

Mayfield is one of the area’s oldest and most prestigious all-girls senior schools having been set up by Mother Cornelia Connelly in 1872. Ahead of its 150th anniversary Eileen Leahy meets headmistress Antonia Beary to discover more of its history and why the world needs more Mayfield girls…

Usually one would associate a head teacher’s office as being a rather serious and sterile space but on entering

Antonia Beary’s at Mayfield

School it’s as if you’re visiting an old friend’s sitting room.

Of course the usual hallmarks of an official office are all here: rows of academic books, framed certificates, piles of paperwork and a large desk.

But nestled in amongst these are more familial touches such as students’ ceramic sculptures, framed photos and a comfy sofa festooned with cushions. There’s even a dog – named Tilly – who is stretched out at Miss Beary’s feet panting happily after a run around the school’s glorious grounds. Not your conventional head teacher’s HQ scenario – but then Mayfield is no ordinary school…

As I take a seat on the cosy sofa, I’m offered a cup of coffee and a slice of delicious homemade cake. I feel instantly at home and that, as I discover during our chat about the history of Mayfield and its Catholic educational ethos, is very much the way the school wants everyone to feel upon arriving.

Mayfield was established in 1872 by Mother Cornelia Connelly who founded the Society of the Holy Child Jesus order in 1846.

Cornelia was no ordinary nun though having been married and a mother of five children. She founded the Holy Child order as a result of her profound Catholic faith and passion for ensuring young women were given an enlightening education; seeing and appreciating the creativity in everything they did.

Cornelia was already presiding over the Holy Child school at St Leonardson-Sea when she and a few of her pupils came for a picnic to the Old Palace at Mayfield in May 1863. Within a very short timeframe an acquaintance of hers, the Duchess of Leeds, had bought the site for Cornelia.

The restoration of the Old Palace began in 1864 and the ruins of the 14th century hall were transformed into a church 14 months later. Although the nuns educated a small number of orphans on site almost immediately, it was not until 1872 that young girls from St Leonards were brought over to be the first pupils at the school.

“The first day Cornelia brought those girls on a picnic here there was one French and an Italian so even at the very beginning the school has always had that international element,” explains Miss Beary, who has been headmistress since 2008 and welcomes approximately 20 per cent of overseas students.

“Cornelia herself was American and opened sister schools in America, Africa and Ireland so Mayfield has always promoted that sense of feeling part of something bigger, a wider community. It’s all about broadening horizons and giving back.”

Currently Mayfield has around 28 different nationalities making up the school’s cohort of 400 pupils

aged 11 and over.

“For me that is really important as it brings different experiences, customs and approaches to education,” states Miss Beary.

She goes on to say that another of Mother Cornelia’s aims was to drive girls to be the very best they can be.

“Cornelia’s original vision for educating girls was to be respectful and responding to the needs of the age,” continues Miss Beary.

“She wanted them to use their talents in order to move society forward, to reach out to those less fortunate than themselves and that is still compelling now. Mother Cornelia was very much ahead of her time.”

Miss Beary says the special nun was also determined to ensure young women who attended her schools knew what they wanted in life – an ethos that still runs through the veins of this historical school, today.

“Cornelia wanted girls to look at maths and science, she wanted to push the boundaries at a time when most people thought young girls should be sitting at home.

“So that whole sense of helping girls discover what they would like to do in life and to also discover what they are not good at, and to always try and get better, is something that we still place enormous value on today. Girls need to change the world and we want to give them the confidence to do that.”

Mayfield is an independent senior school which is located on the edge of the picturesque village of Mayfield. It boasts a 50/50 ratio of day and boarding students and is still very much grounded in the teachings of the Catholic faith – despite the majority of girls being non-Catholic.

“A lot of parents choose to send their girls here because of our values and expectations,” says Miss Beary. “That whole sense of wanting the girls to be ambitious and yet support others. It’s not about success at all costs – the pastoral care here is fundamental. You are not successful academically unless your support mechanisms are there underpinning everything.

“Our girls are very good at celebrating others, they know you don’t have to be successful at someone else’s expense. But having said that there is definitely a sense of realism in our education here too. We tell our students there will be challenges along the way and it’s knowing when to speak and when not to. That element of diplomacy is important too. We always say we want to be educating questions is not everything in life.

“When you’re just exams focused then it’s a real impoverishment of your outlook – it’s just limiting. That pressure to feel you have to be good at everything can be absolutely overwhelming.”

Yet despite having said that, the school’s exam results are hugely impressive with around 91% of A Level pupils achieving between A* and B grades.

“We want to give our girls the freedom to celebrate what they’re very good at, but also the knowledge – and confidence – to know that they can make mistakes.

“If you are perfect then here is not the right place for you. We believe you need the space to make mistakes because it’s preparing you for the real world.”

Miss Beary, a Cambridge graduate, says that Mayfield offers a different approach when it comes to learning compared to most educational establishments.

“We do things in a different way here. Being in a beautiful place like Mayfield lifts the spirits but with that comes responsibility to give something back – and to make sure you share it and respond to challenges as positively as you can.”

She says in order to get the best out of someone you also have to let them fail from time to time as it allows them to find their own way.

“Art, Music and Drama – they are the subjects that you have to make mistakes in. You can’t be a musician or an artist without making errors. And I think for girls it’s so important to make mistakes because if you stick within your comfort zone there will be a huge shock when you go out into the world and try new things. Learning how to fail, pick yourself up, do better and ultimately learn from your mistakes is so important.

girls to be ambassadors – not the ambassador’s wife.”

And although the school produces many high achievers, with the majority going onto university, it’s refreshing to hear exams are not a fundamental focus.

“They are just a piece of the jigsaw,” reveals Miss Beary. “I’m not saying exams are not important - they absolutely are but knowing how to answer pre-prepared

CONNECTION

“Our girls are more confident in themselves and also in the choices they are making. And that’s very important for me. It’s about knowing your strengths and not falling into stereotypical subject categories or behaviour just because that’s what society thinks you should be doing.”

But according to Miss Beary it’s not just giving girls the confidence they need to succeed. It’s also ensuring they have as broad a variety of academic choices and to see the connection between academia and creativity.

“If you want to be a doctor then it’s important to know how to wield a scalpel in ceramics – it’s beneficial. Look at physics and the history of art: there are strong links between the two subjects. It’s only recently that we have compartmentalised things and it’s detrimental because you need to make links between the things girls do in and out of the classroom – that’s really important.

“My colleagues are When it comes to passionate about their traditional academia subjects and want the girls to Mayfield’s most popular love their lessons which is subjects, at both GCSE and A how it should be. But the Level, are Maths and Physics things they learn outside of with many going on to read the classroom such as sport both at Oxbridge and the or organising shows, those Russell Group universities. skills - how to get the best of Two pupils were awarded a each other prestigious and when to Arkwright step forward, Engineering or back - are also essential for life.” Mayfield has always Scholarship earlier this year and last year Mayfield is certainly the place to go if promoted that sense of 71% of its GCSE pupils were awarded you enjoy extracurricular feeling part of something grades between 9 and 7. “The most activities. It has an excellent bigger, a wider successful girls a lot of the time aren’t those cricket team, which just community” working 24/7 but those doing made it into lots of other the Cricketer things too,” Schools Guide’s top 20, and adds Miss Beary. “Community will also welcome the MCC service, sports, acting or doing later this month for a series their grade 8 music. The more of matches. Its equestrian you do the more you can do. centre has won more titles But having said that it’s also than any other school in very important to know when the UK and its renowned to say no.” art and ceramics department In addition to instilling has been voted one of Mayfield girls with positive Europe’s best. confidence, providing a

wealth of subject choices and following Cornelia’s original educational and spiritual vision, Miss Beary and her colleagues also place enormous importance on how the girls engage with others.

“Community services are very important to us, not to pass an exam or to tick a box, but so that the girls can engage with others who may not have had the same privilege.”

Their Actions not Words Programme provides opportunities to be involved in service both in the local community and further afield, ensuring that faith in action continues to be an important part of Mayfield life.

VALUE

“We want actions to be inspired by a sense of justice and integrity, sustained by faith and respect for others,” explains Miss Beary.

“It’s them learning just as much as anything. It’s about making links and sharing your gifts. I would hate for the girls to have a sense of entitlement. Yes, most have amazing opportunities and it’s important to really broaden their horizons but it’s that sense of valuing who they are.”

The school also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme and has also established an environmental group called

History of Mayfield School

Founded in 1872 on the site of the Old Palace, originally a residence of the Archibishop of Canterbury in the 14th and 15th Century

Cornelia Connelly, a Catholic nun who founded the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, restored the palace and ruins of the 14th Century Hall in order to open a school aimed at educating girls to meet the needs of the age

Development continued with a Victorian red-brick school building added in 1897, a Concert Hall by 1930, and a suite of other facilities constructed throughout the second half of the 20th-century

In 1953 the schools at St Leonards-on-Sea and Mayfield merged to form St Leonards-Mayfield School. Pupils remained at St Leonards up to the age of 13 and then transferred to Mayfield to continue their education to 18

In 1975 the junior school at St Leonards closed and Mayfield became the school it is today, educating girls from 11 to 18

Until the end of the 20th century the Headmistress of St Leonards-Mayfield School was drawn from the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, at which point the School appointed its first lay Headmistress

MESSy which stands for Mayfield Environmental & Sustainability Society.

Miss Beary says that what they learn throughout their time at Mayfield – and most do stay on until sixth form – is carried through into what they do next.

And this is always evident when former pupils – known as Old Cornelians – return to the school for social occasions.

“When you look at our old girls you see the different things they have chosen to do. It’s nice and diverse and then you discover some have changed direction and that’s OK too because we are educating them to have their careers but to also have the confidence to alter their direction if their interest changes.

“We have a very strong old girls network who really care about the school and they often come back to do careers things and network. Being an Old Cornelian is very useful as it curates everlasting and strong friendships. There has always been that continuity and support with our old girls and is something that “It’s important to see the connection between academia and creativity”

has been historically important. That sense of support you have both in school and when you have left is essential.

“We are preparing our girls for the world stage so they can go and work anywhere and that understanding that you can bring different things to the table is really important. Essentially it’s about wanting the best for them and giving them space to change, grow and develop.”

Miss Beary finishes by telling me she thinks Mother Cornelia would be proud of how her original vision is still very much alive and well today. The links with the Holy Child order are still strong with two members of the current Governing body appointed by the Society.

“That sense of being a school but also a community of people and a family is what we are all about. But we want the girls to be challenged, and to push against the boundaries. We need more strong women to be making a difference. I think the world needs more Old Cornelians.”

Mathematics, sciences, geography and music are among the most popular subjects at both GCSE and A Level

Mayfield produces worldrenowned ceramicists, has a dynamic Drama Department and an enviable sporting tradition

The key to the school’s success is to encourage and nurture creativity in everything they do, inside and outside the classroom. This leads to girls choosing an eclectic range of option choices: Chemistry and Ceramics, or Physics and History of Art

Mayfield School is renowned for horse riding, with a purpose-built equestrian centre, including stables and an indoor and Olympic-sized outdoor sand school. The equestrian squad competes on the School Equestrian circuit and in 2019 won the National Schools Team Dressage title

There are many clubs to join including MESSy (Mayfield Environmental & Sustainability Society). Within the last 12 months MESSy has managed to: reduce food miles, run a Hastings ‘beach clean’, make sustainable beeswax wraps, organise and promote Mayfield Green Day and raise funds for the Mayfield bee colony

Most Mayfield girls go on to Russell Group, Oxbridge or, increasingly, American and overseas universities, to study all manner of subjects from Architecture to Zoology, with a regular stream of Engineers, Medics and Vets, Lawyers and Economists

VISIT MAYFIELD SCHOOL The school runs regular open mornings where you can hear from the Headmistress, pupils and staff as well as take a Tour of the School grounds. They are running in-person open mornings (subject to lockdown measures continuing to be eased) on Saturday June 26 and Saturday September 25. To book your place, go to www. mayfieldgirls.org/admissions/ open-mornings

DELIGHTED of Tunbridge Wells…

According to a recent survey, Tunbridge W e all know it, but now it’s official: spot for families relocating from London because of a number of

Wells has become even more of a Tunbridge Wells is desirable place to live thanks to its mix of period properties, good schools and a one of the most sought-after locations to live. According to a recent thriving independent spirit. Lottie Bulmer survey by Hamptons Estate Agents looks at the research and talks to some the average house value here has risen by a staggering 52% over the of the town’s movers and shakers to find past decade. And since the out what makes our town so special… pandemic began price houses have continued to rise, as reported by recent Land Registry analysis documents. Tunbridge Wells property prices are now a third higher than the Kent average. Hamptons found that average values rose by 4.3 per cent over the past year to hit a new record high of £401,000, and according to the consultancy TwentyCi, there were 2,801 agreed sales in Tunbridge Wells in 2020 - the highest number for five years - despite the housing market being closed for seven weeks during England’s first lockdown. And the good news is the trend for buying up properties in Tunbridge Wells is showing no signs of abating as the number of sales agreed by Hamptons in the first quarter was a whopping 146 per cent higher than in the first three months of last year. Neill Thomas (above), co-partner at Thomas Mansfield solicitors says the town’s draw is multi-layered. “Tunbridge Wells makes an ideal factors. They include excellent local private and state schools, a relatively quick journey to London by train, and a good selection of housing to choose from including both new and houses of character with land. The Weald and Ashdown Forest is on the doorstep providing family days out and a high number of independent shops in the old High Street and Pantiles make for a pleasant shopping experience. Then of course there’s the easy access to places such as Gatwick, the M25 and the coast.” Commerce is experiencing a larger than average bounce too. The business community continues to grow with many national companies such as AXA and designer clothing company Childrensalon choosing to have their HQs here. Asher S. HarrimanSmith, Co-CEO of Childrensalon, one of the town’s biggest employers, told SO magazine why they eschewed traditional locations such as London or Manchester to base their business here.

“Tunbridge Wells is a beautiful historic town that’s an important part of our own heritage, being where Childrensalon was founded. We believe the architecture, friendly community, close links to London, easy transport access, great talent base, beautiful parks as well as quality schools make Tunbridge Wells such an attractive place to buy and live.”

Nick Moore Operations Director at the Elite Leisure Collection group who look after Salomons, One Warwick Park and Bewl Water agrees: “Having been in Tunbridge Wells for over 25 years I’ve seen the area’s popularity grow over the past couple of decades. The town has great road and rail links, you can be in central London in under an hour on a good day, so it’s attractive to commuters looking to swap city living. Also, the good schools, choice of independent restaurants, architecture, parks and woodlands make it a great place to raise a family,”

The town’s independent hospitality scene is another of its cultural calling cards with the majority of cafes, bars and eateries all being independently run.

Julian Leefe Griffiths who runs The Tunbridge Wells Hotel a told our sister publication the Times of Tunbridge Wells when restaurants and pubs were given the green light in April that he couldn’t get wait to get back to doing what he and his colleagues love best: serving the good people of Tunbridge Wells.

“We’re all in agreement that we want to bring the fun back to

Tunbridge Wells,” he said. Deborah Richards (left),

Managing Partner at Maddisons Residential, has the last word: “Tunbridge Wells has always been highly sought after. We have fantastic restaurants, good shopping, lovely architecture, as well as fantastic schools. “Young people will always want to move to the capital for work, and then when they want to start a family, they will look to places such as Tunbridge Wells.”

26— 27 JUNE

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