Windermere School

Windermere School, the Sunday Times International Baccalaureate School of the Year 2018, is a private British Boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, set in the beautiful English Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, minutes from the vibrant resort village of Windermere. The school has a woodland campus, spacious classrooms, science labs, IT suites, sports facilities and a lakeside boathouse. Students enjoy stunning scenery and mountain fresh air, yet London is only three hours by high speed train, and Manchester and Liverpool International Airports are just 90 minutes by our school bus.

There is a delightful Infant and Junior School, which accepts boarding students from the age of 8 years old. Leading with a strong curriculum which includes public speaking and presentation skills to ensure successful results for Entrance Assessments into Secondary education. From age 11 to 16, the Senior School specialises in the GCSE and IGCSE curriculum, followed by the Sixth Form for ages 16 to 18 offering the academically challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The school comprises 75% British students, and 25% international students; producing strong candidates for worldwide universities. Recent graduates have been offered places at Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College in London. Each student has a personal tutor to meet with every day to continually assess and monitor academic progress. Classes are small, with options for extra English language tuition and individual support from English language specialists. International students are warmly welcomed for entrance in Years 3 to Year 12. The usual entry is in September, however, some students may be admitted mid-year. The school favours an inclusive rather than exclusive policy of admissions, and looks at how each child can use their particular talents to excel. International applicants are requested to complete assessment papers in English Language and Mathematics to assess the level of support required. Scholarships are awarded for outstanding achievement in Academics, Drama, Music, and Sport.

Boarding is available from the age of 8 years, with three impressive boarding houses overlooking the lake. All boarding houses have full time residential House Masters and House Mistresses to ensure there is the right balance of structured support and pastoral care with mutual respect and caring for others. There are common rooms, study suites and connection to the internet, Sky TV, and Skype facilities (access is allowed at specific time periods). Girls aged 8 to 16 reside in Browhead House which is a perfect blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities, recently redecorated with large common rooms, new carpeting, furniture and designer wallpaper. The choice of suites, double or single rooms have stunning views of the lakes and mountains, and quiet study time is provided daily. Boys aged 8 to 16 reside in Langdale House, a modern chalet style boarding house with a large Common room and balcony overlooking the lake. Boys reside in suites, double or single rooms with well-maintained facilities including a gym and a drying room for sports equipment. The residential House Master and his assistants provide structure and pastoral support, including overseeing house elections which is a long standing British tradition. Boys and girls aged 16 to18 enjoy their own university style Sixth Form centre with individual flats. Westmorland House contains a Sixth Form Bistro, Common Room and two floors of individual three bedroomed flats with kitchenettes, sitting rooms, and bathrooms. Breakfast and lunch are served in the Bistro, and evening meals are served in the all school Dining Room overlooking the lake. The residential House Master and House Mistress ensure there is a good balance of structure and support to prepare students for university.

Sport and extra-curricular activities play a large part in the daily life and personal development of Windermere School students. Sporting facilities include tennis courts, a new artificial pitch along with a recently refurbished sports hall and a large sports field which hosts numerous cross-county running trails. Windermere School has two gyms, a lakeside boathouse and beach with fleet of watersports craft, and nearby facilities for golf, horse riding, fell walking, mountaineering and swimming.

For music, drama and performing arts enthusiasts, there are outstanding facilities to develop talent with a large dance studio, drama studio, concert hall, auditorium and individual rehearsal rooms. Productions in all disciplines are ambitious and plentiful which include performances at the school and throughout Britain. There are also many opportunities to contribute to global responsibility through the school’s membership of the Round Square Association, which promotes international service projects. Students learn valuable skills through participating in many worthwhile and influential projects, including the school’s sponsorship of a school in South Africa to help under privileged children.

The philosophy of Windermere School strongly typifies the school motto: Vincit qui se Vincit, One conquers who conquers oneself. We intend for our students to make the connection between academic learning and living, to be self-sufficient and to rise to their full potential. We want them to be confident and compassionate, tolerant and inspiring individuals. Indeed, it is our aim for our students to go out into the world, strong in self-knowledge and self-worth, knowing that they can be of value to society and make their families proud.

Boarding Age From: 8 | Boarding Age To: 18