Beyond The Curriculum
We champion intellectual agility, wonder and curiosity, teaching students to question and explore as they develop into bold, rigorous and critical thinkers.
The Athena Programme
The teachers have a parallel love of learning. One explains how they ‘bust the educational myths and ask the bigger questions.’
The Good Schools Guide
Athena Programme
Years 7–9: Laying the Foundations
• Year 7: Pupils dive into debating and take on a badge challenge, building confidence and critical thinking skills.
• Year 8: Respond to topical issues through essays, artwork, podcasts, or short films, inspired by the BAFTA Awards.
• Year 9: An essay competition introduces them to more structured academic thinking, balancing creativity with rigour.
This phase encourages pupils to try new things, challenge their thinking and lay the groundwork for future success in a supportive and stimulating environment.
One Year 8 BAFTA winner, Hannah (pictured right), designed and made a coat and bag named the ‘Marina Coat’ after the journalist Marina Ovsyannikova. One side portrayed fake news, the other, factual accounts. The wearer of the coat was said to embody the state, able to choose which narrative to show the world.
Years 10–12: Broadening Intellectual Horizons
Through electives, in-depth seminars and talks from guest speakers, students are encouraged to question, collaborate and lead their own learning journeys. Sessions are informal and discussion-led, providing the freedom to test out ideas and engage with new perspectives.
This stage is all about shaping each student’s educational path in line with their interests and ambitions, with the guidance of subject experts and thought leaders.
Georgia (pictured right), speaking at Colin Stuart’s PIE+ talk.
Intellectual Agility
Philosophy, Politics and Economics expands intellectual horizons. Explore political philosophy, the function of government and the nature of being. Customise your own study programme to build an academic CV.
Design Thinking & Arkwright Scholarships
Brainstorm and design using robots and AI, prototype and test your ideas – all great training for the innovators of tomorrow!
Design Thinking explores innovation, programming and the practical application of technology to solve real world problems.
In the last few years students have gone on to win prestigious Arkwright scholarships, several going on to study Engineering at university.
Debating
Putney has a democratic culture where respect, inclusion and spirited discussion are valued as highly in the classroom as in the Debating Forum.
Being able to articulate ideas intelligently and with confidence is an essential skill for life, so our debating programme not only gives students a voice but teaches the skills to use it well.
Debate club and events such as Speak Week help students to express their opinions coherently, and crucially, to take responsibility for their own ideas.
Academic Rigour
In preparation for university, Sixth Form students stretch their intellectual wings beyond the A Level specification through the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) Futures sessions and LEAP Lectures. These offer preparation for admissions tests and more demanding undergraduate level material.
Intellectual Stretch & Challenge
PIE+
Clubs & Competitions
Scholarships & Prizes
Every year, departmental prizes are awarded for exceptional work in particular fields of study. Prestigious external prizes are signposted to those looking for additional challenge, everything from international poetry prizes to Oxbridge essay competitions.
Putney’s academic scholarship and travel award, the Elsa Maud Plant is available to students wishing to complete an overseas research project in support of either Modern Languages or Science.
Our Academic Scholars meet regularly with members of SLT and sixth form mentors to monitor their progress and discuss their academic goals.
NB. Academic scholarships are awarded at 11+ along with scholarships in Music and Sport.