Innovative, inspiring teaching has always been central to our ethos at Putney High School. Running alongside a rich co-curricular offering, our successful Residency programme is now well established and gaining momentum. Thanks to the support of the Putney community, a Writer, Orchestra and Director in Residence have all provided exceptional opportunities for pupils to learn from and to work side-byside with experts in their fields. The Putney Fund has brought into being our newest Orator in Residence project and this year our public speaking expert will support pupils so they develop into confident and articulate orators. On the back of the successful Entrepreneur in Residence pilot last year, a spirit of resourceful, original thinking is running high within school. This year, with an eye firmly on the future, we hope to raise funds for a year-long Entrepreneur in Residence. This will be the sixth residency at Putney: a business brain on hand to prepare students for the realities of the working world, and to help future-proof them for the 21st century careers market. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all donors who make it possible for Putney pupils to benefit from these inspiring and potentially life-changing opportunities.
Putney Fund 2018/19
ORACY PROJECT We were delighted to welcome our Orator in Residence Miranda Kiek this term. Miranda is an Oxford graduate with an enthusiasm for public speaking, which has most recently been channelled into academic research and teaching. She says:
ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE
What you can help to achieve this year Intellectual curiosity, innovation and ambition are at the heart of Putney; characteristics reflected in the plethora of entrepreneurs amongst the alumnae community. An Entrepreneur in Residence would interact with pupils of all ages across the school, enabling them to cultivate original thoughts and concepts and provide technical know-how and experience.
By igniting their entrepreneurial curiosity we hope to inspire pupils to create new ideas and concepts and equip them with the key skills to pursue their own business ideas and ventures now, and in their future lives. Our vision is for senior pupils to develop their ‘real-world’ skills, whilst enhancing the soft skills so vital for life at school and beyond. Amongst Junior School pupils, the programme will focus on integral attributes such as creativity, initiative, team work, independence and problem-solving.
“Putney taught me to
“Live disagreement is one of the
be determined. I was
best forums for the development
never in the top sets,
and refinement of new ideas –
in fact, I was in set
it leads to intellectual growth.
five for GCSE Maths.
Society still needs more women
Through hard work
to speak out about the issues
and with the help of
that matter – and, indeed, on
an amazing teacher,
anything else!”
I obtained an A*. Putney taught me that it is good to challenge yourself.”
We hope that the entrepreneur programme will build upon current initiatives such as our Year 8 ‘learn to earn’ project and the Junior ‘five pound challenge’. We envisage the programme will not only provide a practical resource for pupils to draw upon but will inform, inspire and excite pupils of all ages.
Chef, business woman and entrepreneur Alice Pumfrey (class of 2010)
Miranda is introducing key techniques such as ‘think, pair, share’ and ‘angel/devil’ sessions to help pupils articulate their ideas and defend their perspective with boldness and spirit. Keen debaters will benefit from competition coaching whilst those who have never ventured into the realms of debate will be encouraged to infuse their ideas with creativity, to argue with passion and to masterfully craft their thoughts.
“Being a Putney student has granted me the freedom to do whatever I want in the future – I feel certain that anything is within my reach. Putney has funded my opportunity to mature over seven years in a classroom filled with students who want to learn and teachers who want to teach. I would not have been able to receive this standard of education without the generosity of the Putney and GDST community.” Former Year 13 student
HEAD’S FUND Gifts to the Head’s Fund enable us to provide life-changing support for girls of modest means.
How can you give? Donate via cheque, credit or debit card, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) voucher, or with a regular Direct Debit by completing and returning the enclosed form. Alternatively, you can make a single gift or set up a Direct Debit at donate.gdst.net If you are a UK taxpayer, 25% can be added to the value of your gift at no extra cost to you. To enable us to claim Gift Aid please complete the Gift Aid Declaration on the Donation Form.
Why should you give to the Putney Fund? We work hard to ensure our fees remain as low as they can be to make a GDST education affordable to as many pupils as possible. However, there are projects that we would like to fund that cannot be covered by fees, but we think they will really benefit our pupils and so we ask our parents, alumnae and friends to help. Whether it is £5 a month or a one-off donation of £500, however big or small, your donation will be greatly appreciated. If you would rather not receive such information please tick here and return to Putney High School, or contact the development office at development@put.gdst.net