Putney champions a culture of getting girls moving and enjoying being active, at every age and level of ability. Physical fitness and mental wellbeing go hand-in-hand with academic achievement, and as such, an energetic sports department offers everyone the chance to get involved in team sports, to challenge themselves as individuals and to take part and/or compete in something they enjoy.

The school has a strong tradition of student voice which has of course meant listening to demand. When the England’s National Women’s team performed so well at the Football World Cup, igniting a passion for the game in a whole new generation of girls, Putney’s sports department knew that football lessons should be added to the timetable. Women’s and men’s football were once on equal pegging until a ban by the Football Association in 1921. Since that ban was lifted in 1971, women’s football has taken time to rebuild and it is great to see the explosion of interest amongst this generation of girls.

One of the reasons cricket works well is that everyone can get involved – everyone bowls, bats and fields. As well as being inclusive, it delivers for those who want to compete at elite level, there are so many opportunities now for girls within the sport.

Rowing is another popular sport at Putney and with ex-Olympic Cox, Suzie Longstaff as Headmistress, this comes as no surprise. Putney has the first “girls only” boathouse on a prestigious stretch of the Thames at Putney Embankment. Supported by an active Rowing Supporters Association, the boathouse provides professional facilities for girls who practise and compete nationally and to international GB level. There are five squads and almost one fifth of the senior school involved in rowing overall with social and performance tiers in each age group.

Suzie Longstaff remembers the days when rowing was considered a male sport.

“Great Britain’s success in women’s rowing demonstrates that with clear vision and action, equality can be achieved, with all the benefits it brings in terms of participation, fitness, health and wellbeing as well as sheer enjoyment.”

She’s delighted that in 2021, Henley Royal Regatta will for the first time include a Women’s Junior Eights race, a blue ribbon event for schoolgirls to join the one that is already available to boys.

Helping young, elite athletes to manage their academic studies alongside the demands of training and competition is no easy task and some schools are now offering tailor-made support, like Putney’s Elite Sportswomen Programme, to respond to the specific needs of high-performing pupils. Having a team of professional coaches on hand, from Olympian Jess Eddie (their rowing coach) to England’s Claire Faram, Head of Lacrosse and world champion acrobat Lewis Walker, offers students access to not only some great role models, but a mentor who genuinely understands the demands on their time.

Equality of opportunity is heralding the dawn of a new generation of sporting talent and there’s no sign of these girls dropping the ball any time soon.