Staff Spotlight - Helena Maxfield, Assistant Head of Middle School & Teacher of Geography

When did you join Merchant Taylors'?

I joined in September 2016 coming from Charterhouse. Before that I taught abroad for 5 years and in the UK along the South coast in Bournemouth and Southampton at a range of different schools.

Tell us about your subject. What excites you about it? How did you get into it?

 From the very start, the natural world was my playground and my classroom. Every landscape, every shifting weather pattern, and every urban environment fascinated me. It was geography in motion, revealing its relevance in the everyday. This passion only deepened as I pursued both Physical and Human Geography at university. Whether I was scaling the rugged terrains of the Lake District or uncovering the layered histories of the Brecon Beacons, fieldwork became my way of immersing myself in the subject I love.

A transformative experience came during a joint physical and human geography trip to Tunisia, where I delved into the rich tapestry of cultural geography. It was here that my fascination with travel was sparked not just as an exploration of places, but as an opportunity to understand the intricate relationships between landscapes and the people who shape them.

What are you most proud of outside of your work at school?

Beyond my academic journey, I am most proud of the experiences that have shaped me into a geographer who doesn’t just study the world but truly lives it. One of my most defining choices was deciding to teach abroad - a leap into the unknown that led me to a tiny Caribbean island, fourteen hours from home. For five incredible years, I served as Head of Geography in a British Catholic school on the Cayman Islands. It was here that my love for the ocean transformed into a deep-seated passion. Already a certified diver, I took every opportunity to explore the underwater world, diving weekly at breathtaking sites like Bloody Bay Wall, part of the Cayman Trench, the wreck of a Russian Destroyer, and enjoyed many swim throughs and caves.

Beyond the classroom, I championed environmental conservation, working alongside the Department for Environment to organize beach cleanups, advocate for reef-safe sunscreen, and spearhead campaigns against destructive anchoring practices. One of my proudest achievements was contributing to the successful ban on single-use plastic bags across the island. The Cayman Islands became more than just a workplace, I built a life and a family there, leaving behind a piece of my heart.

I thrive on challenge. After recovering from a broken ankle, I defied expectations by completing a half marathon in 40-degree heat while in Cayman. I have since led Geography trips to California, the Azores and Iceland before embarking on leading the 2018 expedition to Mozambique and Eswatini.  To further test my climbing skills I summited Kilimanjaro in 2019, and more recently at Easter this year I trekked 80km across Wadi Rum, wild camping under the stars. With 64 countries explored, my journey as a geographer is far from over.

What did you study at A-Level?

 Geography, obviously! I complimented this with French, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics and Contemporary Dance.

What piece of media would you recommend and why?

As someone whose passion is travel, I recommend the travel website Atlas Obscura which shows you ‘off the beaten track’ places and hidden gems to visit. I like to have a more local and unique experience when I visit somewhere.

I would though say, a Lonely Planet book is my favourite type of media though, I have amassed a large collection in my library!