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.
How will my daughter settle in?
All pupils joining Reception are invited to a couple of induction sessions before the summer break, where they are able to meet their teachers, other pupils and to explore and play in the classrooms and outdoor play areas. For the first week of the autumn term, your daughter will settle into school gently and attend a morning or afternoon session only.
For pupils joining Year 1 and above, we organise an induction event in the Summer term where they are introduced to their friendly class buddy. They will also meet the other pupils in their year and their class teacher. It is intended to be a fun day for everyone to get to know one another and their new classroom.
What about Pastoral Care?
We work closely with parents to support their daughter emotionally as well as academically. We believe that a happy child will be more open to and able to learn. There is a warm family feel, and parents are given regular opportunities to share and celebrate every step of their daughter’s
school journey.
In Years 1-6, our ‘Opening Minds’ sessions focus 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
Pupils play an active role in school life taking on roles such as Eco Ambassadors, Sports Leaders, Digital Leaders, School Council Reps, Playtime Pals and Year 6 Prefects.
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
Pupils are taught by specialist language teachers and we also offer Mandarin, French, Spanish and Bilingual Clubs.
We work closely with the Senior School to develop our Language Enrichment 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 and all pupils are encouraged to read each night.
- Reception: Along with 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 and English, occasional topic homeworks will be set periodically.
- Years 5-6: A minimum of 40 minutes homework is set each evening and includes mathematics and English. Occasional topic homeworks are set periodically.
What music do you offer?
Every class has two music lessons each week with our music teachers. Many pupils are of Grade 1 standard or above and 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. Individual music lessons are available at school from Year 3. Over 90% of pupils in KS2 are learning a musical instrument. Many of these lessons take place in the Senior School Athena Centre.
What sports do pupils play?
Sport is inclusive and accessible to all. There are in house competitions and competitive matches and competitions against other schools at all levels. We also enjoy an annual Sports Day at Wimbledon Park Athletics Track. Camaraderie and team spirit are at the heart of our sporting ethos.
We have tennis and netball courts and a new astro pitch, as well as indoor sports facilities. Reception -Year 2 develop coordination, balance and agility through multi-skill activities, regular ball skills practice, mini tennis, team games, gymnastics, and dance. Years 3-6 have games afternoons playing cricket, touch rugby, netball, hockey/pop lacrosse, tennis, and rounders. KS2 move on to develop skills in athletics, football, gymnastics, sports acrobatics, and dance. Weekly swimming lessons take place in Years 2-4 at Putney Leisure Centre.
What outdoor space do you have?
Our award-winning outdoor space includes a wonderful adventure playground, amphitheatre, all-weather zones, astro and tennis courts. Our Outdoor Learning Programme promotes pupil learning both in school and 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
Ada Lovelace – red
Rosa Parks – blue
Wilma Rudolph – yellow
Each house is led by Year 6 pupils who organise house days to raise money for charities and local causes.
What trips do you offer?
We offer 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, touch typing and fencing. 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 to keep children entertained, with breakfast and snacks included.
SuperCamps operate at school during the 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 choose one you feel would best suit your child.
Do students move on to the senior school at the end of Year 6?
We are very proud of our ‘one school’ ethos and the vast majority of our Junior School pupils do move through to the Senior School. To make this transition as smooth as possible, we organise a number of events during the final Junior School years and while our Juniors still sit the 11+ Athena Assessment in Year 6, their place has already been secured.
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.
How involved are parents in the school?
We are extremely fortunate to have a supportive and collaborative parent body and we welcome parents’ involvement. Parents take an active part in our IGNITE: Future Thinkers careers’ fair and PIE (Putney Ideas Exchange) talks. They can also accompany classes on school trips and become parent readers. Every term we hold Engage sessions with parent reps from each year group. FOPHS (Friends of Putney High School) elect a parent rep for each class, and help to organise charity and community work within school.
What is the application process?
You should register your interest in joining the school via the Admissions page of our website. We recommend registering in the autumn of the year preceding entry. Your daughter will then be invited to attend an assessment (4+ in January, 7+ and occasional vacancies in November).
What happens at the 4+ assessment?
We try to make the assessment as informal, relaxed, and enjoyable as possible. During the friendly hour’s session, your daughter will join in with creative activities and carry out a few tasks linked to early maths, language, and literacy.
Places are 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.
My daughter is one of the youngest in her academic year – does this matter?
No, our aim is to have a spread of birth dates throughout the year group; this helps to ensure a good dynamic in the class. We also take age into account when conducting our assessments.
What happens if my daughter is not offered a place at 4+?
We do not offer a reassessment but pupils are welcome to reapply for occasional vacancies or 7+ in the future.
What do the 7+ and Occasional Vacancy assessments involve?
The friendly, informal assessment takes approximately two and a half hours and covers English, Maths, Reasoning and Creative Writing.
Following an assessment, we may add a small number of pupils to a waiting list if we are not immediately able to offer a place. A pupil’s place on a waiting list will be valid until the end of the academic year in which they sit their assessment. After this, candidates may wish to apply for another assessment in order to be considered for any future vacancies.
Can I apply from overseas?
Pupils who are looking for a place in Year 2 or above and who are unable to sit the assessments at Putney High School are able to take them overseas. We request that the assessments take place at either the pupil’s current school or at an approved testing centre, such as the British Council, as close as possible to the internal assessment date.
We are not able to offer overseas assessments for 4+ entry or Year 1 occasional vacancy places.