Mayflower High School

Mayflower offers a range of subjects, all of which are studied by students before year 9, at which point they begin GCSE courses and by year 10 drop subjects to concentrate on their chosen GCSE subjects. These include English Language and Literature, English Literature, Mathematics, Statistics (top set only), Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Double Science (Core and Additional), Single Science (Core), Religious Studies, Design and Technology, Technology: Food, Technology: Child Development, Business Studies, Leisure and Tourism, Travel and Tourism, Music, Drama, Art and Design, Applied Art and Design, BTEC Performing Arts, Spanish, French, History Modern World, History Schools Project, ICT, Geography and Physical Education. Alongside this, students study core Physical Education as well as Citizenship (including IT). For a short period this was also accompanied by Learning to Learn, but due to limited success and widespread unpopularity it was quickly scrapped. At GCSE students also have the opportunity to achieve the European Baccalaureate. At A Level the subjects available to students increase also to include Economics, Psychology, Sociology, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business, General Studies, Critical Thinking and the Extended Project Qualification (a subject highly regarded by its leadership team). The school does not offer the International Baccalaureate.

The school prides itself on its two specialisms - mathematics and science, and languages, and supports this with a regular specialisms newsletter distributed amongst its students and parents. Mr Brumby has also spoken publicly about his intention to extend the specialisms to a third in information and communication technology, so as to make Mayflower a regional centre for computer facilities, as well as complementing his recent major spending on updated computer facilities.

A house on site also facilitates the staying of language assistants, natives of either Germany, Spain or France, to assist students with their language studies, and all three subjects are complemented by trips to the relevant country, previous trips having sent students to Santander and Barcelona.

With regard to its specialism in mathematics and science, the school has an extensive network of teaching and support staff in both subjects, headed by Mrs Mason in science, and Mr Eastwick in mathematics l. Both are supported by staff specialists for each year group, and with regard to science, specialists in either biology, chemistry or physics. Until recently this also included the field of psychology (a subject taken by students at A Level only) but this has now merged with the social sciences faculty instead. Both sciences have a dedicated computer suite.

Students from Mayflower's Sixth Form have also gone on to attend prestigious universities, such as the University of Oxford, King's College London, University of St Andrews, University of Warwick, University of Bath, University of Birmingham , Lancaster University and University of York.[2]

• Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne in the Church of England

• Official website
• Essex BSF Schools