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.

Get to know Head Jo Sharrock

Senior School

Ms Jo Sharrock

Head
BA Hons History (Leeds University)

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. 

Mrs Heidi Armstrong

Head of Senior School
BA Hons German (Nottingham) M.Ed.

Mrs Heidi Armstrong has been Deputy Head Pastoral and then Head of Senior School 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 served as Acting Headmistress in the Summer Term of 2023 prior to the arrival of Ms Sharrock.

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 Phoebe Bradley

Deputy Head Academic
BA Hons History (New College, Oxford)

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

Deputy Head Academic
Cardiff University

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.

Previously Mrs Gilbert worked at Priory C of E School, Dorking and received her SCITT PGCE from George Abbott School.
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, as well as winning the GDST Action Research Project of the year and presenting at the Festival of Education.

Dr Jane Brandon

Deputy Head Co-curricular and Outreach

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.

Dr Brandon’s first degree is from King’s College London, where she studied Musicology. She continued with 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 in Elephant and Castle.
Dr Brandon is committed and passionate about offering a broad range of co-curricular experiences to our pupils and also developing meaningful connections with our local community and beyond.

Mr James Mutton

Deputy Head Digital Innovation and Curriculum

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 Kate Molan

Director of Sixth Form

Junior School

Mrs Pippa Page-Roberts

Head of Junior School
B.Ed Hons (Chichester)

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

Junior School Deputy Head (Pastoral)
BA Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Wolverhampton)

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

Junior School Deputy Head (Academic)
BSc Hons (Lancaster), PGCE (York St John), PGCert (University of London), NPQH (University College London)

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.

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.

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, Vicky Tuck, 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)
Vicky Tuck (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

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