Putney High School

Putney High School has spirit; a spirit of intellectual agility and engagement which is at the heart of our ethos. We stretch, challenge and support inside the classroom and beyond, developing inspired learners who act on their curiosities and are spirited in their pursuit of knowledge.

Our pupils have a voice and we want them to understand that there are no limits to what is possible, that all doors are open to them, now and in the future.

We often say that there is no such thing as a typical Putney girl; indeed the only thing that unites our pupils is their determination to be themselves and to think for themselves. We actively encourage every pupil to be herself, to find her own spark.

What our students do have in common is an enthusiasm for learning, participation and a sense of the wider community. They grasp with both hands the many opportunities on offer, from a cappella, book clubs and coding to writers in residence, yoga and zoology.

We are a warm, vibrant community where students can have fun and take risks, secure in the knowledge they are in a supportive environment, where they will be looked after. Their wellbeing is paramount. Our vision is to equip every pupil with the skills and confidence to become a woman of distinction with a strong sense of identity and integrity in the complex world of the 21st century.

We believe that all pupils, regardless of age, special needs or disability, racial/cultural heritage, religious belief and sexual orientation have the right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.'
Putney High School works in partnership with pupils, parents, child protection agencies and diverse communities to continuously develop and improve safeguarding within our school.

This approach helps to keep our pupils safe and, importantly, equips them to tackle, with confidence and enthusiasm, the challenges and opportunities of daily life.

Our values are

• We are a spirited and vibrant school.
• We are inquisitive, intellectually curious, and love learning.
• We act with integrity, kindness and a sense of moral purpose.
• We are a collaborative and democratic community.
• We are innovative and genuinely open to new ideas.
• We are ambitious, bold and unafraid of excellence.
• We are down to earth.

The ability to think independently, to argue persuasively and to analyse critically is central to all that we offer. We want to equip students with an 'intellectual agility' to discuss, to challenge what they hear and read, try out their own ideas and to pursue their academic curiosity.

Our pupils are determined to think for themselves. Through our curriculum they develop the skills required to conduct inquiry and to learn independently, and are encouraged to speak their mind; articulating their ideas and defending their perspective with a boldness and spirit.

At the same time we want to cultivate an open-mindedness and an openness to new ideas. Through our thinking skills lessons and Curriculum Plus programme, students are encouraged to evaluate a range of viewpoints and approach new information critically.

Whilst we want them to speak their minds, our pupils are also prepared to change their mind, to enjoy having their beliefs challenged and to thrive in the cut and thrust of academic debate. We believe that pupils should leave Putney prepared to disrupt the world, empowered to challenge, take risks, adapt and to lead.

At Putney High School, we aim to promote a love of learning and to develop intellectual curiosity, through active and exciting experiences both within and outside of the classroom. High quality inspirational teaching develops pupils’ mental agility.

As well as acquiring knowledge and skills, girls are encouraged to develop the key attributes of resilience, empathy, collaboration, curiosity, imagination and independence.

We have a wealth of experience and expertise. This means we can offer an exciting and varied curriculum. The school is constantly looking at ways to enhance and develop pupils' learning. Digital learning is fully integrated into the teaching and every pupil in Years 4 and 5 currently has the benefit of using a one-to-one iPad.

We want pupils to develop a love of learning for its own sake and to pursue their curiosities with passion; stretched, challenged and supported by our staff. Ours is a culture of inspiration, innovation, energy and creativity in teaching, and this character shapes the learning of our pupils.

Our staff are experts in their fields - from those who share their thinking in academic journals or at conferences to those published authors, performers, artists, composers, playwrights or sports coaches who continue to perform at the very highest level. At Putney High School, those who can...teach.

The ethos of our Sixth Form is epitomised by our intellectually confident and ambitious students. Everything that we provide is designed to help them fulfil and exceed their potential.

From the moment they set foot in our world-class Sixth Form Centre, students are immersed in a culture that encourages academic rigour, rewards curiosity and builds a wider sense of community. Our A Level teaching is designed around seminar style learning with students expected to lead conversation and debate with their teachers and peers. The curriculum has been specifically designed to foster an environment more akin to university level study, supported and led by knowledgeable and experienced subject experts in every classroom.

Walking around the Sixth Form Centre, it is clear that this undergraduate-style environment permeates every aspect of life. Our Diner, exclusively for Sixth Form use, will routinely see students engaged in passionate discussions while the Lounge offers the chance to read and relax in a space designed to emulate a junior common room. Life outside the classroom is as vibrant and stimulating as the lessons within. The diversity of opportunity and the individual support offered to each student is not easily matched. Our Sixth Form is a spirited, ambitious and innovative.