Basic Information & Location
Windermere School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school in the heart of England’s Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The School is split across three campuses on over fifty acres of land. The Elleray Campus is the Infant and Junior site (ages 3 to 11) and the Browhead Campus is the Senior School and Sixth Form site (ages 11 to 18). These sites are approximately 2 miles apart. The School also has its own Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Watersports Centre on the shores of Lake Windermere. In 2018, Hodge Howe Watersports Centre became a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club by the RYA for its race training, becoming the first school in the UK to earn this status.
School Motto
Vincit qui se Vincit. One conquers, who conquers oneself.
Academic Development
The curriculum offered at Windermere School reflects the belief that students should be exposed to as many opportunities as possible and leave the School as well-rounded individuals. Recognition that learning and communication skills are as important as subject content underpins the way the curriculum is delivered.
In Years 10 and 11, the Core subjects are English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish) and two Sciences. Examinations at the end of Year 11. Students may take some GCSEs or IGCSEs in Year 10 and the remainder in Year 11. Windermere School offers both IGCSEs and GCSEs.
Four programmes are available in the Sixth Form: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP), International Baccalaureate Certificates and some BTECs. The School has been offering the Diploma Programme for ten years and the school was the pilot for the IB Careers Certificate (the precursor to the IBCP) in the UK.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
Exceptional pastoral support and a broad activity programme enhance the high academic standards achieved by the students. Windermere School boasts three fantastic boarding houses that stand in the beautiful Lakeland grounds of the School. Windermere boarders are never short of things to do, with access to the lake, evening events and a fully developed programme of activities to both local and tiol places of interest. The School’s inclusive ethos also allows for students from age eight upwards to be made to feel welcome in a unique and homely environment. Each boarding house has comfortable dormitories with full-time residential housemasters and housemistresses. Windermere School is only 90 minutes from Manchester international airport and Liverpool is only slightly further. Windermere is three hours from London by high-speed train. The school also runs a chaperoned airport collection service on dedicated travel days.
Extra-curricular & Personal Development
Windermere School has a water sports centre, Hodge Howe, providing a wide range of opportunities for students during the School’s timetabled curriculum and as part of the extra-curricular activity programme. The centre has accreditation from British Canoeing and the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, as well as being an RYA Teaching Centre and British Youth Sailing Recognised Club. The School has a variety of after-school activities, running every week night evening until 5.30pm. Horse Riding, Tennis Coaching, Golf, Archery, sports team practices and Art Clubs are just some of the options available to students.
