Putney is a culture of inspiration, innovation, energy and creativity in teaching, and this character shapes the learning of our pupils. From our Headmistress, Suzie Longstaff, an ex-Olympic cox, to the many scholars, published authors, skilled artists, composers, playwrights and 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.
Leadership
At Putney, those who can, teach, and they do it with enthusiasm.
Senior School
Mrs Heidi Armstrong
Mrs Heidi Armstrong
Mrs Heidi Armstrong has been pastoral deputy head at Putney High since September 2015. She began her teaching career in 2004 at another GDST school, Croydon High, having previously worked in finance. She was promoted from being a teacher of German to be head of department, then head of house and exams officer. In 2010 she was appointed head of sixth form, when she also became part of the senior leadership team. Her main responsibility at Putney is leading the school’s pastoral team, all safeguarding matters and overseeing the day to day running of the school. She believes that the school’s success in delivering excellent pastoral care is the result of the depth of experience coupled with intelligent application of the best research. Furthermore, she feels strongly that pupil voice and the ability to debate confidently should be encouraged in all aspects of school life as it is integral to the positive wellbeing of the pupils.
Mrs Armstrong’s first degree is from the University of Nottingham, where she read German. She went on to gain a PGCE in Modern Languages from Kingston University and has a Masters in Education from the University of Buckingham.
Mrs Armstrong is serving as Acting Head of Putney High School in the Summer Term 2023.
Mrs Phoebe Bradley
Mrs Phoebe Bradley
Mrs Phoebe Bradley joined Putney High School, in 2015, Mrs Bradley is well known to staff and students, having previously served as Head of History and Politics, and more recently, as Director of Pupil Progress and Academic Enrichment.
Mrs Bradley obtained a degree in History from New College, Oxford. She previously taught at Rochester Grammar School as Second in Department.
Mrs Pippa Gilbert
Mrs Pippa Gilbert
Mrs Gilbert joined Putney High School in September 2015 as a Religious Studies teacher. She quickly grew to become Gifted & Talented Coordinator, before taking on the role of Director of Research, Learning and Outreach in 2018. This experience has lead her to her current position, Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning.
Dr Jane Brandon
Dr Jane Brandon
Dr Jane Brandon joined Putney High School in 2012 as Director of Co-curricular Activities and is now stepping into the role of Deputy Head Co-curricular and Outreach. She began her teaching career as Head of Academic Music at St Mary’s Ascot in 2008, quickly progressing to Assistant Head of Sixth Form.
Her main role at Putney is to offer opportunities for our pupils to flourish both inside and outside the classroom and to feel genuinely connected with our local community. The co-curricular offer at Putney High School is as unique as each of our pupils.
Mr James Mutton
Mr James Mutton
James Mutton is Deputy Head, Digital Innovation and Curriculum at Putney High School. He has always been interested in using digital technology in the classroom to enhance learning opportunities for students and to improve systems in school to free up teachers’ time. Ever keen to try something new, his recent projects include programming drones in Year 9 Computing and designing a robotics table for his Year 7 Robotics club.
Ms Ella Barden
Ms Ella Barden
Ms Ella Barden joined Putney High School in September 2018 as Director of Sixth Form. She spent four years at The Godolphin and Latymer School as Assistant Head of Sixth Form and prior to that she taught Physics at Wallington County Grammar School. Ms Barden read Natural Sciences at Durham University. After completing her undergraduate degree she worked at JP Morgan Investment Bank for five years before embarking on her true passion for teaching and education with a PGCE in Secondary Science from University of Roehampton.
For Ms Barden working with the Sixth Form is an incredible privilege. Especially amongst the creative, curious and compassionate students at Putney as they delve into their academic interests, explore opportunities beyond school, all whilst developing the maturity to conquer challenges and, most importantly, building lifelong friendships. What an exciting time it is!
Ms Kate Molan
Ms Kate Molan
Junior School
Mrs Pippa Page-Roberts
Mrs Pippa Page-Roberts
Mrs Pippa Page-Roberts was appointed Head of Junior School in September 2017.
She first joined the GDST in 2006, when she was appointed Head of English then Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning at Kensington Prep School GDST, Fulham.
Mrs Page-Roberts gained her B.Ed (Hons) at the University of Chichester, where she majored in English. She has clear passion and drive for how children learn, and she embodies the Putney High ethos of academic excellence alongside outstanding pastoral care. She is committed to instilling a love and aptitude of learning in all pupils in an environment which nurtures and stimulates intellectual curiosity, creativity and innovation.
Miss Isobel Franks
Miss Isobel Franks
Miss Isobel Franks joined Putney High Junior School in January 2012 as a Year 5 Class Teacher, before being promoted to Pastoral Tutor and then KS2 Coordinator. She was then appointed to her current role as Junior School Deputy Head (Pastoral) in September 2017.
Miss Franks read Applied Social Sciences at Kingston University and gained her PGCE, specialising in English, at Wolverhampton University.
Miss Franks has a particular interest in wellbeing and the social and emotional aspects of learning. She teaches the ‘Opening Minds’ programme in the Junior School, which aims to enable the girls to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, of others and of their place in the world.
Miss Franks is a trained Paws b 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.
During the Summer of 2018, Miss Franks travelled to India to work as a volunteer coach and advisor for the Limited Resources Teacher Training programme, working alongside local teachers to share best practice and innovative ideas.
In her spare time, Miss Franks enjoys dress making and she endures running!
Mr Andrew Miller
Mr Andrew Miller
Mr Andrew Miller joined Putney High School in September 2015 as a Year Three class teacher before being promoted to Junior School Deputy Head (Academic).
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 fourteen 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 also been awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Educational Leadership and Management from the University of London.
In addition to his teaching 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. Outside of school, Mr Miller is keen to take on new challenges, one such highlight was his successful completion of the Virgin London Marathon for the Make-a-Wish charity in 2018.
Head Student Team 2023/24
Our Head Student Team play an essential role in the running of the school. Acting as an important bridge between students and the teaching body.
Our Values
- We are a spirited and vibrant school
- We are inquisitive, intellectually curious, and love learning
- We act with integrity, kindness and a sense of moral purpose
- We are a collaborative and democratic community
- We are innovative and genuinely open to new ideas
- We are ambitious, bold and unafraid of excellence
- We are down to earth
Trustees
The Trustees of the school are the Trustees of the GDST, details of whom can be found on this page of the GDST website. The Chair of the Trustees, Juliet Humphries, can be contacted via Lucy Colegate at the GDST office – [email protected] or at GDST, 10 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DH
The Local Governing Body
Mrs Prudence Lynch (Chair) MA |
Mr Gareth Atkinson BA (Hons) |
Mr Jason Bacon BA (Hons) |
Mrs Helen Lowe BA (Hons) |
Ms Fiona McLaren, Solicitor |
Miss Anoushka Mehta BA (Hons) |
Mr Neal Scambler BSc (Hons), MRICS |
Trust contacts:
– (School Governance Manager) |
Ms Lucy Colegate (GDST Head of Governance) |
Juliet Humphries (Chair of Trustees) |
To contact the GDST:
Cheryl Giovannoni – Chief Executive Officer
Girls’ Day School Trust
10 Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DH
email: [email protected]
telephone: 020 7393 6666