Opportunities aren’t limited to those who are confident at public speaking: Putney has four different journals that are all entirely student-run, from the A Study in Purple magazine, to STEM, Politics, and History Journals. When speakers are hosted at the school as part of the PIE series, students aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions; challenging MP Fleur Anderson on her lack of clarity surrounding her plans to deal with the effects of climate change in Putney, and questioning Baroness Dido Harding about flaws in her Test and Trace programme, to name just two.

For me, it is particularly important to ensure those from marginalised groups are given chances to connect and work together to use their voices to create in-school and real-world change. Penny, one of the organisers of LGBTQ+ society at Putney, told me about the importance of “providing safe spaces, to talk about our shared experiences.” To better inform students and teachers about subconscious biases and how to confront them, former student Lakshya collaborated with over three hundred POC Putney students to voice their experiences. Learning when to hand over the microphone to others, and how to actively listen and respond, is just as critical as knowing when to use your own voice. From the Drag Race to the Diversity Catwalk, students play a central role in cultivating and celebrating a diverse culture at Putney.