We are high-achieving and down-to-earth and offer an academic and broad curriculum with a very modern edge.
'It is hugely exciting to be leading a school that is a byword for innovation and thoroughly modern scholarship'
Our students enjoy discovering new interests and making friends for life, nurtured and encouraged within a kind and down-to-earth community.
They leave us with the character, confidence and the resourcefulness to make their mark in the world, equipped with the knowledge and real-world skills to give them the edge.
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Our House system runs upwards through the school, uniting students of all ages in each of four houses and giving them a feeling of belonging from the beginning of their time at school.
As a member of a house, students 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 students, which receive money from each House’s fundraising activities.
Students know that Putney is a safe environment where they are valued, their views respected and where they can learn without limits. Their health and happiness are always paramount and the pastoral care we offer is second to none.
At Putney we say, “It starts with me” and we offer a holistic education that not only focusses on personal growth but one that encourages integrity, compassion and social responsibility.
Our students form a caring and supportive community, which in turn supports their development into well-adjusted young adults. They feel valued, secure and happy in their own skin, supported by the staff and students who encourage them each day. They are able to concentrate on their achievements – both the everyday and academic – as well as their ambitions for their future.
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.
We celebrate our differences and believe passionately in equality of opportunity whether that is through the diversity of our community, our “sport for all” approach in PE, our scholars’ concerts and Putney Unplugged in music, or membership of our myriad student–led clubs and societies.
We encourage students to take risks and solve problems innovatively. For those who want to explore their curricular challenges further, co-curricular activities are offered including Young Engineers, CanSat satellite design competition and Jewellery Making clubs. Students enter Design competitions, attend the Smallpeice Trust engineering courses and in Year 11, they can apply for the prestigious Arkwright Scholarship which they do with considerable success – 14 students have been named Arkwright scholars in the past nine years.
Whether you try your hand at Bridge or Code-breaking, Scrabble or Zumba, there are over 200 co-curricular clubs on offer before school, after school, at break and lunch times. Pupils pick their own path and can opt to be as busy (or not!) as they like in their time outside lessons.
Click here to see what we have on offer besides sports clubs.
Putney has a bold, open-minded and adventurous outlook on the world, which is reflected in an exciting programme of trips to destinations across London and the globe. In recent years, flashes of Putney purple have been spotted in the following locations:
Regular sports and choir tours add many more destinations to the mix. Closer to home, we make full use of the many exhibitions, theatrical productions and fascinating opportunities laid at our feet in London or within easy reach in the UK.
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The Badge Challenge is a fantastic way for pupils to develop as independent and inquisitive learners. It gives them a variety of opportunities to engage and stretch their intellectual and creative interests in a fun way during the first year of senior school, while stetting them up with valuable research skills for the future.
It’s also a great way for pupils and teachers to have conversations beyond the classroom, promoting positive learning and wellbeing. There are 13 different subject categories.
The Year 8 BAFTA Awards are an opportunity to think outside the box and respond to an issue in an entirely new way.
The challenge is split into 5 award categories, designed to provide pupils with the opportunity to explore their creativity and work on a project independently and in a style of their choice.
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The Athena Programme is Putney High School’s unique programme of academic extension which encourages students to pursue scholarship and academia beyond the syllabus in preparation for entry to the top Higher Education institutions.
Available to students in Years 10 – 13, the programme offers a customisable plan of self-directed study and supports them as they learn to think differently and explore their academic passions outside the classroom.
Participants have the opportunity to build an “Academic CV” as they research, discuss and present their work through university style seminars alongside evidenced reports and presentations.
The Athena Programme is an integral part of the academic provision for Academic Scholars but is also available to any Putney student looking for extra stretch and challenge.
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PIE is Putney High School’s platform for speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds and industries, to share their life lessons and experiences with the students. Pupils get the opportunity to understand subjects from unique perspectives, to think about their future careers and to challenge themselves with intellectual debates and new ideas.
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“A down to earth and real world school…this school has caught the tide and is beginning to set the pace.”The Good Schools Guide
Performance is an integral part of life at Putney and there are numerous opportunities to perform outside class. Students are also encouraged to train in technical aspects of theatre production, using the state-of-the-art equipment in our FOPHS sound and lighting booth. Pupils are invited to take part in workshops led by external drama companies and there are numerous theatre trips.
Our students also perform at events such as the Edinburgh Festival and the Shakespeare Schools Festival. At the core of our co-curricular drama offering however, is our LAMDA lessons, which are available to all pupils as an opportunity for them to develop their skills further.
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 students 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 students in Years 7 – 9 compose music using latest software programmes and technology and there is a composition club.
ISI Report“Pupils of all ages exhibit excellent behaviour and a strong moral code and are kind and courteous to each other. Pupils grow in self esteem due to encouragement by the school to value and express their own opinions, become leaders and take responsibility for their actions.