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.
Putney pupils are spirited, vibrant and learn to think for themselves, but they also know how to have fun, and most importantly, to really enjoy their time at school.
We are committed to providing the best possible education to girls with promise from any background. Your support helps us to achieve that aim, and is invaluable to the continued success and growth of our school.
We continue to believe that the ability to meet the fees should never be a barrier. As a school we want to have the ability to offer financial support in the following ways:
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Now more than ever, we need your help to make sure that Putney is able to support the families who unexpectedly need immediate assistance. Donations gifted to the Bursaries and Assistance Fund will enable us to offer continuity of care to those already a part of our community.
BURSARIES
We want to remove financial obstacles and ensure that spirited and vibrant girls can access a Putney GDST education. We recognise that there are many levels of giving, but every donation makes a difference, if
they would fund a pupil to be on a full bursary for a year.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
As science fiction rapidly becomes science fact, emerging technologies are out there solving real-world problems and completely re-framing the job market.
In response to the fact that women hold only 15 per cent of technology positions, we want to develop inspirational and forward-thinking spaces for pupils to learn and explore. We want to ensure that our pupils have a toolkit of transferable skills to navigate and thrive in this digital age.
Over the next academic year, we want to add to the existing equipment and create flexible spaces that develop pupil’s physical and practical computing skills of coding, robotics and app development. Specifically, we want to promote the testing of ideas and theories, fostering a positive attitude towards innovation and risk-taking.
To give to this campaign please click donate online below. Gifts of all sizes will have an impact to the school and its pupils.
I am honoured to be surrounded by such a supportive and generous community. With your help, Putney can continue to be the forward-thinking, caring and resilient family I have seen in action over the past few months.
Thank you.
Suzie Longstaff, Headmistress
What is a bursary?
A bursary is the financial support, awarded by the GDST, to families who are not in a position to cover the full fees of a Putney GDST education. Although we are academically selective, we do everything we can to ensure that a family’s ability to afford fees is never a barrier to education or opportunity.
What difference does a bursary make?
There is no doubt that the benefits can be life-changing. Here is what a few bursary recipients had to say;
Anonymous““I have had a world-class education and partaken in incredible trips. I have had the chance to be taught by passionate teachers and meet amazing people. I will always be grateful to the people who helped make this possible.”
Now working as a Senior Legal Counsel at Globeleq, Isoken (Soké) Alli-Usman, reflects on how a bursary has impacted her career;
There are also many advantages seen within school communities who are committed to offering bursaries. They help to shape the culture of the school, fostering a more diverse and vibrant ethos.
Currently at Putney High School, 32 pupils receive a bursary. However, one in five pupils at Putney is supported financially by the school and the GDST.
Putney offers a range of scholarships to senior school pupils, based on talent and ability rather than a family’s financial means. We also offer support through the Head’s Fund, for families who unexpectedly need immediate help to meet the fees. This enables Putney to ensure continuity for a student at a difficult time and particularly for those who are nearing GCSEs or A Levels.
A bursary is means-tested whereas a scholarship is not. A bursary takes into account academic ability but its value is directly related to the income and financial resources of the pupil’s family.
Scholarships are awarded purely on academic (or sporting/musical) merit, as measured in an entrance assessment. They take no account of family income/resources.
In conjunction with the GDST criteria, families in London with an annual income of £41,000 or less and who have no capital assets other than their home, are eligible to apply for full bursary funding.
Parents complete an online application and a robust assessment is undertaken to ensure fairness and consistency. Bursary awards are reviewed annually to check continued financial need.
Bursaries are available to any student aged 11 and over at a GDST fee-paying senior school. Most awards are allocated on entry either to Year 7 or to the Sixth Form and all are awarded based on academic performance and financial need.
Bursaries typically range from 30% to 100% of fees although sometimes awards of a lesser value may be offered. Pupils who get a full bursary will also get help to meet the cost of their uniforms, lunches and travel.
Leaving a gift to Putney in your will is a wonderful way to show support for your old school, and a significant way to impact girls’ education for generations to come. It’s easy to make a bequest, and whether large or small, your generosity can make a world of difference.
If you intend to make provisions in your will, or have already done so, please get in touch and let us know you are thinking of us. Details shared are entirely at your discretion but we would love the opportunity to thank you, and to update you on all that is happening at school.
There are many ways that you can volunteer your time and support us in our fundraising.