Both staff and students are encouraged to take learning beyond the classroom. Our award winning playground, science garden, amphitheatre and allotment allows us to offer our students the opportunity of outdoor learning and expand their knowledge beyond the classroom walls.

Outdoor Learning Benefits:

• encourages curiosity and reflective thinking- problem-solving in ‘real life’ situations
• develops adaptability, communication skills and collaboration
• develops love and appreciation of nature and environment
• develops self-awareness and independence
• provides positive physical and mental health benefits
• assists fine and gross motor skills

Life at Putney has a very special feel to it. We believe that from the moment a student steps through our doors, she should feel safe, supported and free to be herself. As a result, the happiness, personal development and wellbeing of our pupils comes before all else.

We want to cultivate the individual. We do this by providing the appropriate environment to hear every child’s voice. In a school where everyone genuinely knows each other’s names, girls learn to build the foundations of true friendships and positive relationships. They gain skills in teamwork, group study and empathy; supporting one another in their learning and their lives. We really are a community, and with that comes a strong moral awareness for how to be a positive and productive member of that community.

Pupils know that they can always talk to any adult, not just their class teacher. However, it is the students themselves who shape the culture of our school. Therefore, we listen to, encourage and support each and every one of them as they embark on their learning journey.

Our Junior School Houses, Marie Curie (Green), Ada Lovelace (Red), Rosa Parks (Blue) and Wilma Rudolph (Yellow) help girls to find their way, make friends with girls in older years and earn a sense of pride from competing as a team. They work together to raise money for charities chosen by themselves and to compete in sporting tournaments.

Right from the moment a child starts Putney in Reception, she is involved in every area of school life. Whether it’s a workshop, event or celebratory week, girls throughout the school are invited to take part in an age-appropriate activity.

Upon joining Putney, each pupil is paired with a Year 6 girl at the top of the Junior School. She will receive a letter from her ‘buddy’ during the summer holidays, encouraging her to get excited about starting school. Once she arrives, each Reception pupil meets her buddy who will help her to settle into life at Putney.

Putney is a democratic environment where pupils enjoy a dialogue with their teachers and leading is done by example. Girls take on responsibility at the earliest opportunity, learning that good leadership goes hand-in-hand with teamwork. A thriving, democratically-elected School Council represents the views of all the girls. Year 6 girls are given various roles of responsibility, from House Captains to the school’s Press Pack of roving reporters.

Other positions of Leadership include: Sports Leaders, House and Vice House Captains, Peer Mediators, Putney Playtime Pals, Lunch Monitors, Junior Travel Ambassadors and Eco Warriors .

Music forms an integral role in the life of Putney High School: singing in harmony and musical performance is developed from an early age. The vast majority of Key Stage 2 girls learn one or more musical instruments and there is an open invitation to present in assembly, boosting confidence and nurturing a love of performance.

There are more than 50 girls in our Junior School orchestra.  All girls are invited to perform informally in assembly and other events include the Valentine Music Festival, the Speaking and Listening Festival and Christmas and summer productions.

Listen to our Junior School Choir by clicking here.

Throughout the Junior School, girls are encouraged to participate in a range of inclusive extension activities. From Year 3 upwards, girls can also try for places in school teams and take part in fixtures and tournaments against other London schools, as well as in the GDST netball, cross country and swimming rallies.

The PE department strives to give every Year 5 and 6 girl who would like to play sport competitively, the opportunity to compete either against other schools, or in Inter-House competitions.

Pupils can take part in a wide selection of co-curricular sports:
• Athletics
• Dance
• Gymnastics
• Mini Tennis
• Netball
• Rounders
• Skipping
• Swimming
• Tennis

Click here to find out more about sport at Junior School

The Junior school enjoy a range of over 70 co-curricular clubs, ranging from Mensa, Chess, Library Club, Handwriting, Puzzle Club, Current Affairs, Robotics, World News, Judo, Fencing, Ball Skills, Gym, Street Dance, Gardening, BrainBuilders, Drama, Windband, Mandarin and Spanish to name but a few!