We are high-achieving and down-to-earth, offering an exceptionally broad curriculum that is both academic and forward-thinking.

Putney is genuinely open to new ideas and places a strong focus on innovation, modern scholarship and teaching students to think differently. We recognise that everyone is an individual. Ours is a culture of kindness, open-mindedness and inclusivity very much believing that “it starts with me” when it comes to making positive change.

We work closely with families to ensure every student makes a happy transition to life in the Sixth Form and wellbeing and personal development come before all else.

Our most recent ISI inspection reported, “There is a caring and holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of pupils, who are supported academically and emotionally by the school’s pastoral team.”

From day one all students know they are valued members of a warm and inclusive community. They are supported by an experienced Sixth Form team, including tutors, Heads of Year, Director of Sixth Form and our wellbeing team.

Throughout their time in the Sixth Form students usually have the same Tutor who is responsible for their care and welfare. They are alert to their different needs and personalities, ensuring every student can thrive.

Registration is at 8:30am and there are two lessons before Break at 10:45am and another two lessons before Lunch which begins at 1:10pm. Afternoon registration is at 2:20pm and there is a fifth lesson before the school day ends at 3:50pm. Clubs and extension opportunities run during Lunch, before and after school.

The Senior School Library is open from 7.30am until 5pm every school day.

Students can go out for lunch from 1:10pm but must return before 2:15pm, in time for afternoon registration. That said, our Sixth Form Centre has a dedicated café serving lunches, snacks and coffees. There is ample space for work and relaxation, including a terrace and a dedicated gym, and there are many lunchtime clubs and activities, therefore many choose to stay in school.

The Sixth Café opens from 8am to 2pm offering breakfast, delicious hot and cold lunches, snacks, coffee, tea and various cold drinks.

Students remain in school for study periods. If the study period is in Period 5 and there is no assembly or school activity scheduled, the student may leave the school premises from 2:50pm should they wish.

A minimum of five hours of independent study per subject per week. Subjects such as Art and DT may require more.

Sixth formers should choose their own style of dress which allows them to express their individuality whilst also setting a good example to younger pupils.
Students should remember that Putney High School is a workplace and the clothes that they wear should reflect this.
In order to achieve this the following are not permitted:

• Cropped, low cut or strapless tops,
• Very short skirts/ dresses/ shorts,
• Hats and hoods are not to be worn in classrooms or for assembly,
• Facial piercings (unless permission has been sought on religious or cultural grounds prior to the piercing).

Computer Science at A Level.

Our Innovation Centre offers a learning hub where students can explore the applications of AI and robotics. The school’s secure virtual learning environment means that students have access to their school email and learning resources across campus and from home.

Sixth Formers may use their own laptop in school should they wish, or request to use a school iPad.

In the Sixth Form the average class size is eight although this will vary depending on A Level subject.

A vast range – the full list of Sixth Form study options is available in our Sixth Form prospectus

Consideration is made for bilingual students on an individual basis according to their language proficiency.

We have student members of Junior Conservatoires and regionally and nationally auditioned choirs and orchestras.

Keen composers are actively encouraged and there are many opportunities to work with the drama department throughout the year. Putney Young Musician of the Year in the Spring term and the Arts Festival in the Summer term are notable highlights.

Individual music lessons are 40 minutes long and are available for the full range of instruments, including drums and voice. In the Sixth Form, they do not clash with any academic classes.

The Sixth Form musical is a highlight of the school year but there are many other opportunities to perform or produce, including House Music and Drama Festivals.

Our alumnae go on to further study at leading drama schools and music conservatoires.

We are regularly named among the top schools in the country for sport and whether you want to keep fit, just play, or compete at the highest level, there are a huge range of options in both team and individual sports.

Putney has onsite facilities for a wide array of sports, dance, strength and conditioning, and the Sixth Form centre boasts its own Fitness Suite. A short distance away students have access to our playing fields, athletics track and Putney’s well-equipped Boathouse, right on the famous Tideway at Putney Bridge.

Our Athena Centre for Science, Music, Drama and Debating offers state-of-the-art teaching, learning and performance spaces including cutting edge science labs, acoustically engineered music rooms, a debating forum and ‘fringe feel’ drama studio.

Academic, Art, Design, Drama, Music and Sports scholarships are all available.

We are keen to offer the opportunity of a Putney education to applicants regardless of their family’s financial circumstances and offer a number of means-tested bursaries. An award can be up to 100 per cent of school fees dependent on individual circumstances, with joint household income and assets taken into account.

There are four Houses: Beryl Burton, Kathleen Ferrier, Audrey Hepburn and Freya Stark. We hold regular House assemblies where students make friendships across year groups through regular House competitions and fundraising opportunities.

A school bus service operates to and from school. We currently have four bus routes in operation: Kensington via Hammersmith and Fulham; Richmond via Barnes, East Sheen and Mortlake; Raynes Park/Wimbledon via Southfields; and Sloane Square via Chelsea and Fulham. We are also well-served by public transport.

We offer regular subject, sport and choir trips around the UK and further afield. Closer to home, we are regulars at the wealth of exhibitions, theatrical productions and other fascinating opportunities that London has to offer. In addition, there are drama trips to the Edinburgh Fringe as well as residential field trips for Biology and Geography and trips away during Activities Week.

There are a wide range of leadership opportunities from the Student Leadership Team and Prefect teams to School Council and House Captains. Sixth formers play an important role leading clubs and societies and editing an array of magazines and academic journals.

Our Sixth Formers are willing role models, volunteering their time both in school and through partnerships in the wider community. We have partnerships with local primary schools and there are volunteering opportunities through our Horizons and West London Schools Partnerships with local schools such as St Paul’s Boys and Hammersmith Academy.
Every year students complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards with a celebration at Buckingham Palace. There are regular fundraising activities for local foodbanks and through our House Charities.

Build your own ‘Academic CV’ to impress the top universities. An exciting programme of Futures sessions are available offering opportunities to research, discuss and present ambitious work through university-style seminars and presentations. Led by subject expert teachers these sessions allow students to extend their understanding and interests beyond the curriculum, to explore the subjects they might go on to study at university.

We regularly hear from leading edge speakers and other guests, exploring challenging ideas through the Putney Ideas Exchange programme (PIE) and Sixth Form LEAP Lecture series (Limitless Education at Putney). Regular Working Breakfasts offer fascinating insight into potential career paths and our PIE+ lecture series welcomes prominent guests, from business leaders to philosophers to neurosurgeons.

A broad array of Maths and Science Olympiads, Arkwright scholarships, essay and debating competitions, even the Edinburgh Fringe), are just some of the many opportunities to show off your talents, build your ambition and have fun along the way.

Our Careers Programme offers support on subject options, work experience and career paths, as well as helping to develop real-world skills for the future. There is tailored support for writing stand-out essays and statements, and training for applications to Oxbridge, Medicine and Law. Students choosing to follow to routes into the creative arts are fully supported with portfolio preparation and applications to Art Foundation, music conservatoires and other top arts destinations. A dedicated International Universities Coordinator supports students whose USA destinations have included Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Duke, UPenn and the University of Southern California, among others.

Working Breakfasts and Alumnae lunches link students with current and recent Putney undergraduates, giving them insight into university life.

There is a full programme of support for applications to UK universities led by our specialist Higher Education Coordinator and Oxbridge Coordinator. From advice on course choices, to admissions test and interview preparation, all aspects of the application process are supported. We also share information and opportunities relating to degree apprenticeships, gap year and creative pathways.

Putney High School’s class of 2024 have gone on to top universities in the UK and the USA. Students are studying at Oxford and Cambridge universities reading subjects as diverse as Law and Medicine to Modern and Medieval Languages. Other most popular destinations included Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh and Leeds. Popular courses included Engineering, Geography, Medicine and Biological and Neurosciences.

Overseas, USA destinations included Cornell, University of Chicago, Northeastern and Middlebury. Creative destinations included Nottingham Trent for Furniture & Product Design and Kingston for Art Foundation. One student has begun a degree apprenticeship with Price Waterhouse Coopers at Queen Mary’s University.

Every year we see exceptionally high acceptance rates at art and fashion colleges and music conservatoires. Popular creative arts destinations include Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Ravensbourne and the Royal Academy of Music.