Putney High School
Independent Day (Girls, GDST) · Est. 1893
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35 Putney Hill, London SW15 6BH
Termly Fee
£9,669
Senior School, inc. VAT (2025/26)
Total Pupils
~1,050
girls, day school
A* at A-Level
42.4%
latest results
A*/A at A-Level
78.3%
latest results
GCSE 9-7
91.8%
latest results
Bursaries
100%
max GDST coverage available
Best For
Ambitious, articulate girls who want elite academic results without an exam-factory atmosphere — girls who will throw themselves into rowing, robotics, debating, and music with as much energy as they bring to the classroom.
Watch Out For
There is no published pass mark — the Consortium test gets you shortlisted, but the Athena Assessment day and 1:1 interview are where places are decided. Girls who score well but present flatly in person are regularly passed over. The fees also have a well-documented trap: the Junior School fee (£8,009/term) appears on the same page as the Senior School fee (£9,669/term) and families frequently budget against the wrong figure.
Entry Points
- 11+ (main intake via London Consortium); 16+ Sixth Form; Junior School from 4+
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window:
Key Dates At-a-Glance — Putney High 11+ Entry
- 1
Open Events
September / October, Year 6
- 2
Registration deadline
Early November, Year 6
- 3
Stage 1: Consortium online test
Late November / early December, Year 6
- 4
Stage 2: Athena Assessment & interview
January, Year 6
- 5
Offer letters sent
February
- 6
Acceptance deadline
Early March
Inside the London 11+ Consortium Test
Putney High uses the London 11+ Consortium bespoke online cognitive assessment — the same test used by most London GDST schools and a number of other top London independents. The test is 100 minutes across five sections. There is no separate creative writing paper — English skills are tested through comprehension and verbal reasoning only. Scores are age-standardised; no percentage pass mark is published or valid.
English & Verbal Reasoning
30 min (English Comprehension & VR) + 25 min (Analysis) = 55 min English-relevant content · Online digital test — no handwriting required
Families who prepare creative writing intensively for Putney are wasting preparation time. The Analysis section — which assesses how quickly a girl can evaluate and draw conclusions from unfamiliar material (graphs, tables, reports) — is the component that most differentiates strong from excellent performance and receives the least preparation attention.
Maths & Problem Solving
20 min (Maths) + 10 min (NVR) + 15 min (Problem Solving) = 45 min maths-relevant content · Online digital test — no handwriting required
The 20-minute Maths section is the visible target and receives the most tutoring time, but the Problem Solving section is where differentiation happens at the top of the field. Multi-step logic puzzles under time pressure require a fundamentally different skill from curriculum arithmetic — and it is built through practice, not natural ability alone.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: English skills at Putney High are tested through two sections of the Consortium test: the 30-minute English Comprehension & VR block, and the 25-minute Analysis section. There is no creative writing paper. The absence of a creative writing component means that the analytical reading and verbal reasoning sections carry all the English weight — and the Analysis section, which tests evaluation of unfamiliar information sources, is the most under-prepared component in most tutoring programmes.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — English & Verbal Reasoning
Redirect all creative writing preparation time to the Analysis section and comprehension inference skills. Read factual texts, data reports, and non-fiction articles and practise drawing quick conclusions from unfamiliar material.
Practise with a wide range of non-fiction source materials: newspaper data stories, scientific summaries, infographics, timetables, and mixed-format texts. Time the practice strictly and focus on identifying the most important information quickly.
Include dedicated screen-based VR practice in the preparation programme from Year 5. Use digital platforms that replicate the online format — not just paper workbooks.
The pattern: Families who prepare creative writing intensively for Putney are wasting preparation time. The Analysis section — which assesses how quickly a girl can evaluate and draw conclusions from unfamiliar material (graphs, tables, reports) — is the component that most differentiates strong from excellent performance and receives the least preparation attention.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Analytical Reading & Evaluating Unfamiliar Information
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Analytical Reading & Evaluating Unfamiliar Information
English & Verbal Reasoning
#2
Multi-Step Logic & Mathematical Reasoning
Maths & Problem Solving
Academic Results
Selected academic results for Putney High. Figures relate to the reporting years shown; check the school for its latest published results.
A-Level A* Rate
Not published
Reporting year: 2024
A-Level A*/A Rate
65%
Reporting year: 2024
GCSE Grade 9-7
75%
National rank #33.
A-Level A*-B Rate
Not published
Reporting year: 2024
A-Level Results
Reporting year: 2024
A detailed A-Level grade distribution is not included in this guide. Check the school for its latest published results.
A*
Not published
A*/A
65%
A*-B
Not published
GCSE Results
Reporting year: 2024
A detailed GCSE grade distribution is not included in this guide. Check the school for its latest published results.
Grade 9-7
75%
Attainment 8
Not published
University Destinations
University destination information
A detailed university destination split is not included in this guide. Check the school's latest published information.
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled from official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
The Athena Assessment is not just an interview
The Junior/Senior fee trap
No creative writing means a different prep strategy
The Consortium test is digital — practise on screen
Rowing is a serious commitment, not a hobby
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Putney High School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Budgeting against the Junior School fee
Fix: Always confirm fees with the Senior School admissions team directly. The fee listed on the school website is for the Junior School; for 11+ entry into Year 7 you need the Senior School fee.
Preparing creative writing for the Consortium test
Fix: Redirect all creative writing preparation to comprehension inference, VR, and especially the Analysis section (evaluating unfamiliar information sources).
Treating Stage 1 as the main event
Fix: Treat Stage 1 as a filter and Stage 2 as the decision. Allocate preparation time accordingly — at least equal time on interview and assessment day readiness as on exam technique.
Assuming no sibling priority means the process is fairer
Fix: Register and prepare as if there is no advantage for siblings — because there is none.
Putney High vs Competitor Schools
How does Putney High School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Putney High competes for the same pool of academically strong South and South West London girls as Wimbledon High, Surbiton High, and Lady Eleanor Holles — all GDST schools or near neighbours. The key differentiation is cultural: Putney is emphatically modern, dynamic, and high-energy.
| Factor | FeaturedPutney High | Wimbledon High | Lady Eleanor Holles | Surbiton High | South Hampstead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent Day (Girls, GDST) | Independent Day (Girls, GDST) | Independent Day (Girls) | Independent Day (Girls) | Independent Day (Girls, GDST) |
| Co-educational | |||||
| VR in Exam | |||||
| Annual Fee | £29,007 | ~£29,000 | ~£29,000 | ~£25,000 | £28,371 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Hard | Hard | Hard | Medium | Very Hard |
| Interview Style | Athena Assessment + 1:1 (Jan) | Group + 1:1 (Jan) | 1:1 (Jan) | 1:1 (Jan) | Group + 1:1 (Jan) |
Why Parents Choose Putney High
- The most vibrant and modern school culture at this level in South West LondonMultiple parent and pupil accounts describe Putney as emphatically non-stuffy — loud, dynamic, and genuinely empowering. It is not the right school for a girl who wants quiet tradition, but it is exceptional for a girl who wants to throw herself at everything.
- Elite rowing — competes at Henley Royal RegattaPutney's rowing programme is genuinely elite for a day school. Girls compete at Henley, on the Thames, and at national level. For a family where rowing is already part of life — or could be — this is a serious differentiator.
- A-Level results in the top 40 nationally with an unpretentious culture42.4% A* at A-Level (national rank 36) alongside a school that is deliberately not an exam factory. This combination is unusual and highly valued.
- GDST bursaries — up to 100% of fees for eligible familiesThe GDST bursary scheme is among the most generous available in girls' independent education. Putney is committed to widening access in a genuine way.
- Wellbeing is institutionally prioritised, not just marketedThe 'Breathe' programme addressing sleep, nutrition, and mental health is not a marketing claim — it is a concrete, structured part of school life. The school treats teenage girl wellbeing as a systemic issue, not an individual one.
Points to Consider
- The Athena Assessment is a second stage — not just an interviewMany families treat Stage 1 as the main event and arrive at the Athena Assessment underprepared. The Athena Assessment is where final offers are decided and it involves more than a friendly conversation.
- The Junior/Senior fee discrepancy is a consistent financial trapThe £8,009 Junior School fee and the £9,669 Senior School fee appear on the same page. Multiple families have budgeted against the wrong figure. The difference is ~£4,980/year — always confirm which fee applies to your daughter's entry point.
- No sibling guarantee — every girl sits the Consortium testGDST policy across all academically selective schools. There is no sibling priority at Putney — families with daughters at the Junior School who assume senior entry is guaranteed are regularly caught out.
- Rowing is a major lifestyle commitment, not a light extraEarly morning training, weekend regattas, and year-round commitment. For families where this is unexpected, it can be a significant adjustment. Visit the school and talk to current parents before applying.
Scholarships & Financial Support
At 11+, Putney does not award fee-reducing academic scholarships — bursaries are the route to financial support and can cover up to 100% of fees for eligible families. Sixth Form scholarships are available across multiple disciplines but do not reduce the fee.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDST Means-Tested Bursary | Up to 100% of fees | Available to all eligible families | Means-tested household income assessment — must be indicated on the initial registration form | No |
| Sixth Form Scholarships (Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport, Design) | Non-fee-reducing (prestige) | Small number per cohort | Separate scholarship application; shortlisted candidates attend assessment day | No |
* Bursary interest must be declared at registration. GDST bursaries are means-tested and among the most generous available in UK girls' independent education.
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Putney High School's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
Year 4 (age 8-9)
Year 5 (age 9-10)
Year 6 September–October
Year 6 November–January
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