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Wellbeing Overview

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At Mayfield School, we understand that emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health in helping every member of our community thrive. We are committed to create a positive and inclusive environment where mental health is valued, and where all students feel supported and empowered to succeed.  

We believe that overall wellbeing and self-regulation are essential for students to manage stress, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential. By promoting resilience and offering the tools needed to handle life’s obstacles, we aim to help students excel but also develop skills that will serve them throughout life. 

Through our Personal Development (PD) programme, we provide a nurturing space where students can build confidence, self-esteem, and emotional resilience. We are here to support students through any difficulties they may face, ensuring that they feel, safe, heard, and equipped to seek help whenever needed. At Mayfield, we are dedicated to promoting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of every student, we encourage students to be open and have the courage to vocalise their feelings because we know that when a student feels their best, they can achieve remarkable things. 

Students have a range of wellbeing provisions:  

  • Access to the school counsellor, Mr D. Thorbourne.  

  • Access to Emotional Literacy Support Assistants, (ELSAs) Miss Forrester & Miss Salmon. 

  • The green room – A space to promote mindfulness and creativity, open at break and lunchtime every day.  

  • Paws & Relax – Time with emotional support rabbits; Pico and May.  

  • Wellbeing Wednesdays Club (in the Library after school) on Wednesdays from 15:00 – 15:45.  

  • Mental Health Ambassadors – we have a team of ambassadors who use student voice to promote and implement wellbeing of all students throughout the school.

Mr D. Thorbourne 

DTHI am a school counsellor / Wellbeing Lead and trained at the university of Queen Mary with the aim to deliver Humanistic based therapy. In addition, I am an integrative therapist which includes CBT, Person Centred, Psychodynamic counselling, Gestalt, plus other creative therapeutic methods. I have worked with young people for 11 years and I am passionate about encouraging students to be the best they can be with mental health at the forefront of their development.

I provide one to one counselling for our students from year 7 – 13 and deliver ad hoc drop-in sessions. I am also a member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I offer sessions during term time including online sessions depending on the young person’s circumstances.  

I provide a safe space to explore your feelings, thoughts and concerns enabling a confidential and non-judgemental setting. If there are any worries or concerns, talking about them can help you find alternatives to managing or dealing with problems without judgement. 

Miss E. Forrester

E. Forrester ELSAAs an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), I focus on the importance of emotional expression and support students as they navigate their feelings. I am passionate about fostering creativity, as I believe it plays a key role in helping young people better express themselves and develop emotional resilience. Prioritising wellbeing and mental health are crucial for students to thrive both academically and personally. By offering tools for emotional expression, such as Drawing & Talking, I support young people’s overall success in education. I pride myself on being welcoming and creating a warm, supportive environment where students feel comfortable. 

Our emotional support rabbits, Pico and May, are an important part of our team, providing comfort and a sense of calm to students when they need it most. I aim to inspire students with passion and open-mindedness, helping them to grow, not just academically but as courageous and compassionate individuals.  

Miss A. Salmon

Amy SalmonI am passionate about supporting the emotional well-being of students, prioritising creating a safe and understanding environment where mental health comes first, and every person feels heard and valued. With a compassionate, open, and approachable nature, I aim to make it easy for students to reach out when they need support.  

I have a personal interest in philosophy and a love for animals, I bring a holistic approach to my work, including the use of emotional support animals. Our rabbits are a perfect example of this, they have been incredibly effective in helping students feel calm and more connected and providing them with companionship. 

Above all, I want to see students flourish across all aspects of their lives, proud of the resilience and growth they show every day at Mayfield. 

If you have a concern about your own child, or another child’s, mental health, there are number of things that you can do: 

  • You can contact your GP and ask for their advice and guidance 

  • You can contact the school and talk to a member of the Safeguarding or Pastoral Teams 

  • You can visit the websites outlined below for further information and advice.  

External Support

Parent Support

Student Support

Useful Helplines, Websites and Apps for Adults and Children

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Latest News

17th Jul

Historic NASA STEM Trip to Florida

A First for Redbridge: Mayfield School Students Embark on Historic NASA STEM Adventure in Orlando, Florida Twenty-seven students become the first young people from the London Borough of Redbridge to experience NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre and an unforgettable programme of STEM learning in Florida For the first time in the history of the London Borough of Redbridge, a group of students has had the extraordinary opportunity to visit NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre and experience the world of space exploration, engineering and innovation first-hand. Twenty-seven students from Years 10–13 at Mayfield School recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime educational journey to Orlando, Florida, creating a landmark moment for STEM education in the local community. This was far more than a school trip. It was an opportunity for students to stand where history has been made, explore the technology behind humanity’s greatest achievements and see how the science they study in classrooms is transforming the world beyond Earth. Travelling with Norse Atlantic Airways, students spent six days and five nights in Florida, staying at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando. Throughout the trip, students developed independence, confidence and resilience while representing Mayfield School and Redbridge with pride. Reaching New Heights at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre The highlight of the journey was an inspirational visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, one of the world’s most iconic centres for space exploration. Students walked among real spacecraft and rockets, explored interactive exhibits, experienced space simulations and discovered the incredible stories behind NASA’s missions. They learned about the Apollo programme, the Space Shuttle era, astronaut training, the International Space Station and the future of human exploration beyond Earth. A particularly inspiring moment was learning about the role of the Hubble Space Telescope and how space technology continues to expand humanity’s understanding of the universe. Students saw how physics, mathematics and engineering combine to overcome extraordinary challenges and make space exploration possible. For many students, seeing genuine spacecraft and the engineering behind these missions transformed ideas from their science lessons into something real and tangible. Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers The students also experienced the power of innovation through two days at Disney Parks, where they took part in science and technology workshops exploring the engineering, creativity and problem-solving behind some of the world’s most advanced entertainment experiences. Students discovered that behind every attraction lies a combination of physics, computer science, mathematics, design and engineering. They gained a deeper understanding of how STEM subjects influence industries far beyond traditional scientific careers. At Wonderworks, students continued their exploration of science through interactive exhibits and challenges, investigating concepts including forces, motion, electricity and human perception. The trip also challenged students personally through activities such as iFLY Indoor Skydiving, where they experienced the science of flight and aerodynamics while building confidence and resilience by stepping outside their comfort zones. A Journey of Discovery and Personal Growth Beyond the incredible educational experiences, the trip helped students develop valuable life skills. They worked together, supported one another, adapted to new environments and demonstrated maturity throughout the journey. Students returned home with a greater appreciation of the importance of curiosity, collaboration and ambition. Many reflected on how seeing science applied in the real world had changed the way they viewed their future possibilities. Head of Science at Mayfield School, Mrs Sevdie Ali, said: "This was a truly historic opportunity for our students and a very proud moment for Mayfield School and the Redbridge community. This was not just a visit to NASA—it was an experience that allowed our students to see what is possible when curiosity, determination and scientific ambition come together." "Watching our students stand next to spacecraft, explore world-leading innovation and realise that they too can contribute to future discoveries was incredibly inspiring. We want every student to believe that opportunities like this are within their reach." The Orlando STEM Adventure reflects Mayfield School’s commitment to providing exceptional opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. By creating access to world-class educational experiences, the school continues to raise aspirations and inspire young people to pursue futures in science, technology, engineering and beyond. The 27 students have returned to Redbridge with unforgettable memories, greater confidence and a renewed passion for discovery. Their journey marks an exciting milestone—not only for Mayfield School, but for the wider Redbridge community—showing that the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers can come from anywhere.  
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