“At Mayfield, education is an adventure of the mind, heart and soul”

Deborah Bligh, Headmistress at Mayfield School reveals what makes this all-girls educational establishment so unique..

I first saw Mayfield five years ago during a social visit on a wet and windy December evening.  The Head of Lower School showed me around and the joy was palpable with girls rushing about collecting eggs from the school farm, munching on toast whilst choreographing a dance routine for house competition, others completing study with help from tutors. I then went to watch the famous Live Crib which was just the most beautiful experience, involving the entire village and organised and performed entirely by the girls.  

I remember thinking that not only had I found the perfect school to lead, but I had found the perfect place for my own daughters (now in Year 11 and Year 8) to flourish. 

Mayfield is a school where childhood is cherished and celebrated, a school with an obvious spirit of adventure, producing young women of character. It was just so distinctive that it left an impression on me – and led me to applying for a role at the earliest opportunity. 

I eventually joined as Deputy Head in September 2023 before becoming Headmistress in April 2024. 

At Mayfield, education is an adventure of the mind, heart and soul. We create an environment where girls discover their authentic selves and develop the courage to embrace life’s possibilities. It is an ethos that encourages breadth, risk-taking and trying new things – one that refuses to put children into boxes based on prior attainment or assumptions about what they can and can’t do. Our curriculum is exciting and forward-thinking, allowing our students to uncover talents they may not have known they had.  

We equip our students with the moral compass and courage to navigate an ever-changing world – a vital part of building an ethos that is both forward-looking and inclusive. We do not shy away from discussing the challenges our girls will face in real life, and we dedicate curriculum time to life skills (everything from changing a tyre to investing in the stock market to arranging a mortgage). 

Our careers programme is constantly evolving to reflect changes in the job market, but one constant is our old girls (we call them Old Cornellians) who regularly return to inspire current students with stories of success across diverse fields such as Medicine, Law, Finance and the Creative Arts. They are a constant source of inspiration, mentorship and support, with many students enjoying work experience placements with them. 

Since I joined Mayfield we have strengthened our careers provision and university pathway, ensuring we have specialist staff with the time and drive required to give our girls the very best preparation for life beyond school. 

I am particularly proud of our new Wellbeing Centre, opened in September 2023 by OC, Olympian Gold medallist, and local girl, Emily Craig. It continues to position us as a leading voice in girls’ wellbeing within the independent sector and beyond. 

In addition, I have also enhanced the Performing Arts offer, ensuring that contemporary dance and music sit proudly alongside the rich beauty of our traditional programme, which remains undiminished. 

During my 27 years in education I have taught Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Personal Development and to be honest, I am never happier than when I’m in the classrooms. At Mayfield I have enjoyed working with our talented staff to enhance and develop the curriculum, and the school’s teaching and learning strategy – which has led to significant success in this years’ public exams. 

I believe single-sex education is more important than ever. Today’s girls are bombarded with messages about what it means to be female – pressures from social media, stereotypes, and expectations to conform. A girls-only environment provides the space to grow up first, to find their voice, and to be equipped with the skills and strategies they need to thrive. 

In single-sex schools girls are empowered in sport right from the start – and that empowerment lasts a lifetime. Visitors continually remark on the inner confidence of a Mayfield girl. 

There isn’t a better job in the world than being a Headteacher. I take my responsibility seriously, but joyfully. The largest part of my day is spent among the students: taking an active interest in their experiences, ensuring the highest standards of teaching and pastoral care, and remaining steadfast in my mission to ensure every one of them is seen, heard, and ready to meet the needs of the age – unapologetically and on their own terms. 

If you always put the interests of the child at the centre of every decision, the school – and the students within it – will flourish. 

At Mayfield we are proudly mixed ability, passionately believing that a girl’s potential should never be capped. We ensure a dynamic, thoughtful curriculum that leads to astonishing progress and self-belief.  

School is not just a collection of numbers – it is a beautiful time in a child’s life. Mayfield cherishes childhood for the gift it is.
To discover more about Mayfield and its educational ethos visit
www.mayfieldgirls.org