How would you describe Putney High Junior School?
Vibrant, inclusive, spirited; our Core Values are at the heart of who we are and what we do:
- We are inquisitive, intellectually curious, and love learning
- We are innovative and genuinely open to new ideas
- We are intrepid, persevering, resilient, and adventurous
- We are inclusive, collaborative, and down to earth
How many pupils are there in the school?
There are approximately 320 pupils in the junior school (4-11 years old) and 740 in the senior school (11-18 years old).
How many classes are there in the Junior School?
We have two classes in each year group, from Reception to Year 6, making a total of 14 classes:
- Reception (Early Years Foundation Stage EYFS)
- Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1)
- Years 3 to 6 (Key Stage 2)
How big are class sizes?
Each class has about 22 pupils in Reception to Year 2. Years 3 to 6 have about 24 pupils per class.
What languages do students study?
Reception: one lesson a week, ‘Introduction to French’
Years 1 and 2: two French lessons a week
Years 3 – 6: one French and one Spanish lesson a week
Students are taught by specialist teachers and we also offer Mandarin, French, and Bilingual Clubs.
We work closely with the Senior School to develop our Language Enrichment programme and ensure a smooth transition to Senior School.
How much homework should pupils expect?
Developing a love of reading is at the heart of our English curriculum; throughout the school, pupils are encouraged to read each night. They are given multiple nights to complete their homework.
Reception: Along with daily reading, pupils may be given activities to promote handwriting and phonics development linked to their learning in class.
Years 1-2: Pupils spend approximately 20 minutes on their homework, which includes reading, spelling, and mathematical games.
Years 3-4: A minimum of 20 minutes homework is set each evening and includes mathematics, science, English, humanities and MFL (Modern Foreign Languages).
Years 5-6: A minimum of 40 minutes homework is set each evening and includes mathematics, science, English, humanities and MFL.
What music do you offer?
Every class has two music lessons each week with our music teachers. Students in Years 5 and 6 are encouraged to join the Junior School Choir which has performed at local and national level.
More than 60 pupils of Grade 1 standard or above are members of the Junior School orchestra.
In KS1, classes are introduced to a variety of instruments and have the opportunity to take part in a taster session. From Year 3, individual music lessons are available at school. 92% of pupils in Key Stage 2 are learning a musical instrument. Many of these lessons take place in the newly designed Athena Centre.
What sports do pupils play?
Reception-Year 2: Pupils develop coordination, balance and agility through multi skill activities, regular ball skills practice, mini tennis, team games, gymnastics, and dance.
Years 3-6: Pupils have games afternoons and move on to play cricket, touch rugby, netball, hockey/pop lacrosse, tennis, and rounders. KS2 also develop their skills in athletics, gymnastics, sports acrobatics, and dance.
Swimming lessons are organised each week for pupils in Years 2-4, at Putney Leisure Centre.
We have tennis and netball courts and a new astro pitch, as well as indoor facilities in our sports halls. The Junior School enjoys an annual Sports Day at Wimbledon Park Athletics Track.
Sport is inclusive and accessible to all. As pupils progress through the school, they take part in house competitions and competitive matches/competitions against other schools at all levels. Camaraderie and team spirit are at the heart of our sporting ethos.
What outdoor space do you have?
Our award-winning outdoor space includes a wonderful adventure playground, amphitheatre, all-weather zones, astro and tennis courts.
We have an Outdoor Learning Programme that promotes pupil learning both within the school grounds as well as in the local area.
In and beyond the classroom, pupils are encouraged to:
• Be bold and take risks
• Make mistakes and reflect on their learning
• Play imaginatively and think creatively
• Collaborate and problem solve
What ICT provision do you have?
All classes have a weekly computing lesson in the Innovation Hub with Mr Mistry, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, an Apple Distinguished Educator. Computing is an integral tool within the curriculum with an emphasis on Computer Science, Information Technology and E-Safety. We have a 1:1 iPad programme from Year 3-6.
Interactive whiteboards are used in EYFS and KS1 classrooms; Apple TVs and pens are used in KS2 classrooms. All pupils have access to iPads to develop their digital skills across the curriculum, in and beyond the classroom.
Do you have a house system?
There are four houses:
Marie Curie – green
Rosa Parks – blue
Ada Lovelace – red
Wilma Rudolph – yellow
Each house is led by Year 6 pupils who organise house days to raise money for charities and local causes.
What about pastoral care?
We believe that a happy child will be more open to and able to learn. We work closely with parents to support their daughter emotionally as well as academically.
There is a warm family feel, and parents are given many opportunities to share and celebrate every step of their daughter’s school journey.
From taking on roles such as Eco Ambassadors, Sports’ Leaders, Digital Leaders, School Council Reps, Playtime Pals, and Peer Mediation Partners, the girls play an active part in ensuring their voices are heard, and their ideas and views are respected.
In addition, Miss Franks, our Pastoral Deputy Head, teaches a timetabled ‘Opening Minds’ session for Years 1-6. This focuses on the social and emotional aspects of learning as well as the learning dispositions that will help a pupil to develop self-efficacy and thrive: resilience, kindness, empathy, collaboration, resourcefulness, creativity, adaptability and tenacity; philosophy and debating opportunities also develop critical thinking skills.
BREATHE is the whole school platform from which we deliver outstanding academic and pastoral provision. It encompasses:
Looking after ourselves – Pupils learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle including taking care of our bodies and our minds.
Looking after each other – Pupils learn to build and maintain healthy and respectful friendships.
Looking after our world – Pupils take pride in our school and to be active and responsible members of the community.
What trips do you offer?
Lessons are enriched and complemented by a full and varied range of educational outings, as well as on-site visits by speakers, workshops leaders, and authors.
Residential trips are offered to Years 4, 5, and 6.
What time do children arrive in the morning?
Children arrive between 8.10 and 8.25am.
Reception finishes at 3pm, Years 1 and 2 at 3.10pm, Years 3 and 4 at 3.20pm and Years 5 and 6 at 3.30pm.
Are there activities before and after school?
We offer over 70 co-curricular activities that take place before and after school, from pottery, judo and coding to chess and touch typing. There is also a full range of sports and music activities.
SuperClubs run breakfast and after school clubs during term time. Breakfast club starts at 7.30am and after school club until 6pm. They include a range of activities with breakfast and snacks included.
SuperCamps offer camps and specialist science camps at the school during the school holidays.
Do you have a school bus?
There are four routes, run independently by Vectare: Wimbledon and Richmond routes for Reception and above, Sloane Square and Hammersmith routes for Years 3 and above.
Which nursery do you recommend?
We welcome children from many different nurseries and recommend you look at nurseries in your area and choose one you feel would best suit your child.
Do students move on to the senior school at the end of Year 6?
The majority of Junior School pupils are offered a place in the Senior School in the summer term of Year 5, and while they sit the 11+ Athena Assessment in Year 6, their place is secured.
We are very proud of our ‘one school’ ethos, and it is our hope that all Junior School pupils will transfer to the Senior School. To make this transition as smooth as possible, we organise a number of events during your child’s final three years in the Junior School.
Do you offer scholarships and/or bursaries?
We do not offer assistance in the Junior School but there are scholarships and bursaries available in the Senior School.
What is the application process?
The first thing to do is to register your interest in joining the school via our website. We welcome all prospective families to come and visit us at our open days.
All applicants are invited in for assessment (4+ in January and 7+ and occasional vacancies in November).
What happens at the 4+ assessment?
We try to make the assessment process as informal, relaxed, and enjoyable as possible. It takes about an hour and is overseen by Miss Tew, Head of Early Years. During the session, your child will join in with creative activities and carry out a few tasks linked to early maths, language and literacy.
Places will be offered to approximately 44 children. A second group is put on a waiting list and notified if places become available. A third group will not be offered a place.
What happens if my child is not offered a place at 4+?
We do not offer a reassessment for 4+ but pupils are welcome to apply for 7+ or occasional vacancies in the future.
We recognise that students progress at different rates and a number of pupils are now thriving in our school, having passed the 7+ or occasional vacancy assessment, after being unsuccessful at 4+.
How involved are parents in the school?
We are extremely fortunate to have a supportive and collaborative parent body; we encourage parents to be as involved in the school community as they wish. Parents form an active part in our IGNITE: Future Thinkers Programme, from the A-Z of Careers’ Fair to PIE (Putney Ideas Exchange) talks. Parents may also choose to accompany classes on school trips and become parent readers.
Mrs Page-Roberts meets parent reps from each year group every term for Engage sessions. FOPHS (Friends of Putney High School) elect a parent rep for each class, and help organise charity and community work within school.