Mayfield School is run by a Leadership Team, this is made up of Headteacher, three Assistant Headteachers and Inclusion Lead.
Senior Leadership Team
Sophie McCabe
Head Teacher
Sophie trained in Cumbria and then went on to teach in Sheffield before returning to Cumbria. Sophie is a leader with significant experience having held numerous senior posts across both the primary and secondary sectors and led a number of schools as Executive Headteacher. Sophie’s wide experience in teaching across the primary sector, secondary sector and within specialist provision has strengthened her commitment to high quality ‘community education’. She believes passionately that every young person should experience an outstanding education throughout their entire school career, where strong relationship for achievement are the norm and where each child’s successes are recognised and celebrated. Sophie also worked for the Local Authority as a SEND Manager supporting all schools in Carlisle and Eden. In her spare time, Sophie loves to spend quality time with her family and enjoys long walks with her dog. Sophie is delighted to be Headteacher of Mayfield it is an honour and a privilege.
Rhyannan Porter
Assistant Head
Rhyannan completed her BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Education with QTS from University of Cumbria in 2017. After qualifying Rhyannan gained a range of teaching experiences through supply, working from Early Years-Key Stage 2. In 2018, Rhyannan joined Mayfield School, teaching in Key Stage 1. Rhyannan takes the lead in the school for early reading and writing, as part of our English team. She is particularly enthusiastic about Phonics and seeing the positive impact this has on our children’s reading and writing skills. Rhyannan is also our lead in Attention Autism (Bucket Time), she loves the creative element of this intervention and observing the children’s high levels of engagement and joy throughout. In 2022, Rhyannan was appointed Assistant Head Teacher of Early Years and Key Stage 1, a role she is excited to bring her passion and enthusiasm to. Outside of work Rhyannan enjoys spending as much quality time with her family and friends.
Carolyn Westnedge
Assistant Head
Carolyn has worked at Mayfield School for 18 years. She originally qualified as a nursery nurse in 2000 and completed her first year at Westfield Infant school she also had lead roles in SEN Playschemes for Social Services. In 2001, she began work at Mayfield School and has had many roles in the school including STA, HLTA and then qualifying as a teacher in 2012. In 2013, Carolyn was awarded the ‘Golden Apple Award’ for ‘Outstanding New Teacher’ - a huge achievement which she is immensely proud. Carolyn has had the privilege of teaching across all stages of the Lakes Department and KS3, developing skills in all areas before taking on her most challenging role as EYFS lead- a challenge she embraced and loved developing, eventually being rewarded with an outstanding grade from OFSTED. In 2018, Carolyn was successful in securing the post of Assistant Head Teacher of Lakes Department (EYFS & Primary), a role which she thoroughly enjoys. Carolyn’s other passions are developing communication for non- verbal students through a variety of high and low tech communication aids and watching how these students develop and progress. She also has a huge love of theatre and everything it entails; Carolyn is involved in most of our productions and now we have the new school theatre, sound and lighting system, the sky is the limit!
Stephen Chambers
Assistant Head
Stephen came into teaching as a mature student, beginning his training at Charlotte Mason College in 1995 and graduating in 1999. This year is his 20th anniversary of being a teacher. He gained a 2:1 BA Honours degree with Qualified Teacher Status in PE and Dance with English as his second subject. He has always has a passion for PE having previously worked for 12 years in the leisure industry. He has played lots of sports all his life with a particular love of cricket which he still plays. He is married to Elaine and has a daughter Alexandra who has just gained her MA in Contempary Fine Art from the University of Cumbria. He started teaching in Mayfield in 2012 after he was appointed as Assistant Head of Lakes Department. The following year, he became Assistant Head of Mountains Department (then known as Planets).
Shelley Crowe
Inclusion Lead
Shelley completed her BA (Hons) degree in Applied Social Science from St Martins College in 2003 and originally worked within the community and youth work sector, having roles within Barnardos and local youth clubs. She decided she would like to have a bigger role in the education and support of children and young people, so returned to St Martin’s College to train as a teacher and qualified in 2006. Shelley joined Mayfield School in 2009 and has held a variety of roles within the school across all the key stages, most recently a Key Stage 4 class teacher and Assistant SENCO. In January 2020, Shelley was appointed Inclusion Lead. This has allowed her to step outside her own classroom and use her knowledge of SEND to benefit the entire school population. She has high expectations of our pupils and wants to break down the barriers that our children and young people face in their journey to adulthood. Shelley's spare time is taken up with youth football and futsal. She has been assistant coach with her son’s team and safeguarding officer for another. We can’t promise you won’t find her cheering from a terrace somewhere at the weekends.