A House system runs upwards through the school, uniting girls of all ages in each of four houses and giving every girl a feeling of belonging from the beginning of their time at school.

As a member of Burton (Beryl Burton), Ferrier (Kathleen Ferrier), Hepburn (Audrey Hepburn) or Stark (Freya Stark) girls in the Senior School form friendships, learn teamwork, try out new skills and enjoy a good deal of healthy competition and fun.

There are individual House charities, chosen by the girls and which receive money from that House’s fundraising activities. The House charities for 2017-18 are:

• Burton – The Lily Foundation (fighting mitochondrial disease)
• Ferrier – A21 (working to eradicate modern day slavery)
• Hepburn – Maggie’s (cancer care)
• Stark – Sponsor Stars (helping deprived children in the UK)

Creativity takes many forms at Putney. Art clubs provide valuable time to develop and explore the skills learned in class at a student’s own leisure. Co-curricular activities range from art and printmaking to photography or animation, with a daily open studio.

Excellent resources are provided including Apple Macs for digital-based work and photo editing, as well as a new black and white darkroom.

The textile design department creates work of an undergraduate standard producing its own fashion show and with inspirational visits from big names like Philip Treacy and Deborah Milner.

Music runs on a vast scale. Almost half of the school sings in a choir and many also play in one of the orchestras. The annual Music Festival attracts 450 entries. Year 9 organises and performs its own opera – everyone gets involved. Suitably talented girls are given the opportunity to conduct/direct choirs and ensembles, play concertos and sing arias from major works.

They are also encouraged to further their development by joining regional and national ensembles and through study at the conservatoires. All girls in Years 7 – 9 compose music using latest software programmes and technology and there is a composition club.