Staff, Governors & Trustees
Putney has a culture of inspiration, innovation, energy and creativity in teaching, and this character shapes the learning of our pupils.
From our Head, Jo Sharrock, to the many scholars, published authors, skilled artists, composers, playwrights and Olympian sports coaches; every one plays a part in creating the stimulating learning environment for which Putney is known. It makes our school an innovative, dynamic and really exciting place to teach, and above all, to learn.

Jo Sharrock - Head
Jo Sharrock joined Putney High School GDST in September 2023 following a five year headship at Shrewsbury High School and previous role as Deputy Head Pastoral at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School in Bristol.
An innovative, caring and dynamic leader, Ms Sharrock is deeply committed to helping every student fulfil their potential – whether that is through academic studies, co-curricular interests or building strength of character.
Ms Sharrock graduated with first class honours in History from the University of Leeds and worked in the finance industry for organisations including Goldman Sachs, NatWest and HSBC before deciding to pursue a career in teaching. She completed her PGCE at the University of the West of England.
Ms Sharrock credits her professional success to her own all-girls education. She very much shares Putney’s passion for forward-thinking excellence and typifies the school’s down to earth, warm approach that inspires each and every student to be curious, creative and bold.
Senior School

Phoebe Bradley - Deputy Head Academic

Mrs Phoebe Bradley joined Putney High School in September 2015 as Head of History & Politics. She joined the SLT in 2018 as Director of Pupil Progress & Academic Enrichment before taking on the role of Deputy Head Academic in 2020. She job shares the role with Pippa Gilbert.
Mrs Bradley obtained a degree in History from New College, Oxford, specialising in the history of the scientific revolution. Having returned to Oxford University to obtain her PGCE in 2012; she previously taught at Rochester Grammar School.
Together with Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Bradley is committed to promoting an ethos of modern scholarship – ensuring learning at Putney is an exciting, joyous journey of discovery. Throughout their time leading the Academic SLT, both have promoted a culture of research-led practice, most notably in their development of the school’s renowned Science of Learning curriculum – which ensures both staff and students understand the neuroscience behind how learning happens, thus enabling students to maximise their enormous cognitive potential.

Pippa Gilbert - Deputy Head Academic

Mrs Pippa Gilbert joined Putney High School in September 2015 as a Religious Studies teacher. She joined the SLT in 2018 as Director of Research, Learning & Outreach, having been the Gifted & Talented Coordinator, and became Deputy Head Teaching & Learning in 2020 before taking on the role of Deputy Head Academic in 2022. She job shares the roles with Phoebe Bradley.
Mrs Gilbert has earned national renown for the quality of her teaching, as a finalist and silver award winner at the Pearson National Teaching Awards in 2019. She championed the introduction, and now thriving culture, of action research within the school, and has presented at the Festival of Education as well as being an award-winner within the GDST for her research on Harkness tables.
Together with Mrs Bradley, Mrs Gilbert is committed to promoting an ethos of modern scholarship – ensuring learning at Putney is an exciting, joyous journey of discovery. Throughout their time leading the Academic SLT, both have promoted a culture of research-led practice, most notably in their development of the school’s renowned Science of Learning curriculum.

Jane Brandon - Acting Deputy Head Pastoral & Co-curricular

Dr Brandon is passionate about offering pupils opportunities to take part in a vibrant co-curricular programme along with volunteering and partnerships that develops independence, kindness and reflects and embodies the school’s ‘It Starts With Me’ pastoral ethos.
Dr Brandon’s first degree is from King’s College London, where she studied Musicology. She continued her musical studies there, leading to the completion of her PhD in 2008. She went on to gain a PGCE in Secondary Music from the Institute of Education, while combining her studies with offering free music tuition as part of a community music project. She began her teaching career as head of Academic Music at St Mary’s Ascot, quickly progressing to the role of Assistant Head of Sixth Form.

James Mutton - Deputy Head Curriculum & Digital Innovation

Mr James Mutton (MA Hons Geography (Edinburgh), MEd Cambridge) studied Geography at Edinburgh where he decided to become a teacher after spending much of his time volunteering with young people alongside studying. After a year as an Assistant House Master in the Junior School at Gordonstoun, he completed a PGCE at the Faculty of Education in Cambridge and moved to London where he has taught ever since. Ever keen to combine academic study with school life, he has recently earned a third Masters, this time in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Roehampton.
James has a wide-ranging portfolio of whole school responsibilities which include managing the Senior School timetable, developing a forward-looking curriculum and leading on digital innovation. Most recently this has included adopting Python as one of our language options in Year 9 to allow students to develop their coding skills, ready for their digital future. He is determined to ensure that Putney students leave with the skills, resilience and confidence they need to be trailblazers in their chosen paths.

Sophie Clegg - Acting Head of Sixth Form

Mrs Sophie Clegg (BSc Geography (University of Bristol) joined Putney High School in 2015 as a Geography teacher. Since then, she has held a number of positions including Head of Careers and Enterprise and Head of Year 11. She is currently leading the Sixth Form team as Acting Head of Sixth Form.
Mrs Clegg completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, UCL and previously worked at Twyford CofE High School, Ealing as Head of Department. Prior to moving into teaching, she had a career in PR and Marketing.
Junior School

Liz McLaughlin - Junior School Head
Harvard-educated Ms Liz McLaughlin brings with her more than a decade’s experience of Headship. She joins us from Wetherby School, Kensington and was previously Head at Falcons Pre-Prep School, Chiswick, and before that, Primary School Principal at the International School of London. A passionate advocate for single sex education, she is a visionary who shares Putney’s commitment to research and the science of learning. Her own research interests have centred on curriculum development and literacy.

Andrew Miller - Deputy Head Academic

Mr Andrew Miller joined Putney High School in September 2015 as Junior School Deputy Head (Academic). Mr Miller is a great advocate of a progressive child-centred teaching approach, where children can express their views openly and honestly, to allow them to develop an enthusiasm for learning and a thirst for knowledge.
Mr Miller read Geography at Lancaster University with a year on exchange at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He then completed his Primary School PGCE at York St John College, York.
Over the last twenty years, Mr Miller has worked in both the state and independent sectors (co-ed and single sex) in the UK and internationally, including seven years at the British School of Tokyo, Japan. Mr Miller has been awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Educational Leadership and Management from the University of London and recently completed his NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) from University College London.
In addition to his teaching and leadership qualifications, Mr Miller is also a qualified Paws b mindfulness teacher and has a passion for ensuring that the academic rigour of the school is balanced by its pastoral approach. He has a keen interest in how learning environments can impact the way children learn, and relished the opportunity to be part of the school biophilic classroom at the Chelsea Flower Show, where the stand was awarded a RHS Gold Award.
Outside of school, Mr Miller is keen to take on new challenges, one such highlight was his successful completion of the London Marathon for the Make-a-Wish charity.

Isobel Franks - Deputy Head Pastoral

Miss Isobel Franks joined Putney High Junior School in January 2012, first as a Year 5 Class Teacher, then as Pastoral Tutor and Key Stage 2 Coordinator. She has been Deputy Head Pastoral since September 2017. Miss Franks has a particular interest in wellbeing and the social and emotional aspects of learning. She oversees the Opening Minds programme in the Junior School, which aims to enable pupils to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, of others and of their place in the world.
Miss Franks is a trained Pawsb mindfulness teacher, and she is an accredited member of the Positive Schools Programme. She was an early adopter of our coaching programme, contributing to the collaborative culture that exists here at Putney. She has recently begun training in Child Counselling with Place2Be.
Miss Franks has visited schools in Pakistan and India, working alongside local teachers to share best practice and innovative ideas.
In her spare time, Miss Franks enjoys dressmaking and growing fruit and vegetables on her allotment.
Governors and Trust Contacts
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1 —Trustees
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2 —The Local Governing Body
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3 —Contact the GDST
Trustees
The Trustees of the school are the Trustees of the GDST, details of whom can be found on the GDST website.
The Chair of the Trustees, Vicky Tuck, can be contacted via Ms Lucy Colegate (GDST Head of Governance) at the GDST office.
Email: l.colegate@wes.gdst.net
The Girls’ Day School Trust, 10 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DH
Trustees
The Local Governing Body
Mrs Prudence Lynch (Chair) MA
Mr Gareth Atkinson BA (Hons)
Emma Chowdhury
Ms Lucy Lettice-Cohen
Mrs Helen Lowe BA (Hons)
Camilla Reed
Miranda Smart
The Local Governing Body
Contact the GDST
Cheryl Giovannoni – Chief Executive Officer
Girls’ Day School Trust
10 Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DH
email: info@wes.gdst.net
telephone: 020 7393 6666
Contact the GDST