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Windermere School

Windermere, Cumbria
1863
Founded
3 - 18
Age range
Girls
School type
£9,833 - £15,667
Boarding / term
In short

Windermere School is a girls boarding and day school in Windermere, Cumbria, educating pupils aged 3 - 18 and founded in 1863. Boarding fees are £9,833 - £15,667 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.

Type
Girls boarding & day
Boarders from
8 - 18
Ethos
Non-denominational
Guardian required
Yes
Known for Sailing
About

About Windermere

The story, ethos and character of Windermere.

Setting
Rural
Ethos
Non-denominational
Head
Mr Frank Thompson
Windermere — campus and grounds

Windermere School is a coeducational, day and boarding school for ages, 3-18 in the heart of the English Lake District National Park. With access to a spectacular greater classroom, we can really live our school motto: Vincit qui se Vincit. One conquers, who conquers oneself.

Windermere School offers students an outstanding education that combines academic achievement with a host of extra-curricular activities, all underpinned by a spirit of adventure. Our traditions and ethos create a supportive community within the school, where strong relationships exist between staff and students.

Each student is known as an individual and this allows us to offer exceptional pastoral care.
Windermere — the school grounds

Windermere School is nestled on a hillside within 45 acres of the National Park landscape that inspired such writers as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Overlooking Lake Windermere, the fells and mountains beyond, Windermere School enjoys one of the most picturesque views in the Lake District and, arguably, the best school view in the world.

Outdoor Learning is woven throughout every aspect of the curriculum at Windermere School, with Adventure not merely being an activity, but a way of life. Hodge Howe is our Private Watersports Centre, located on Lake Windermere. Here our students learn to sail, kayak, canoe and embrace the spirit of adventure, which is central to life here at Windermere School.

Windermere — around the schoolWindermere — school buildings and groundsWindermere — campus and groundsWindermere — specialist facilitiesWindermere — school facilitiesWindermere — pupils playing sportWindermere — sport and fixtures
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Academics

Academics at Windermere

What pupils study at Windermere — and where it takes them.

0
A-level students
41
IB Diploma
6
Programmes
Yes
SEN / EAL support
Windermere — sport and outdoor activities

allowing pupils the chance to explore the various options available for further study at the GCSE level. In Years 10 and 11, students study their chosen GCSE courses after selecting subjects they are most interested in pursuing. In the Sixth Form, we offer the IB Diploma and the IB Careers Pathway.

The IB Diploma Programme is a rewarding and academically rigorous qualification that is recognised and highly sought after by leading universities worldwide. Windermere has a mean IB score well above the world average. Small class sizes, combined with a robust tutoring system, allow us to ensure that each student gets the and guidance necessary to achieve their full potential.

Programmes offered

GCSEA-levelIB DiplomaBTECEALSixth Form

Subjects offered

Art & DesignBiologyBusiness StudiesChemistryComputer ScienceDramaEconomicsEnglishEnglish LanguageEnglish LiteratureFrenchGeography+ 13 more — ask us
75.0%
Pass rate · IB Diploma 2024
31.2
Average Score Points · IB Diploma 2024

Where our leavers go

From Anthropology to Filmmaking, Neuroscience to International Development, Aeronautical Engineering to Nursing: Windermere students go on to do anything and everything at some of the most prestigious universities in the world. On the strength of the recent results, 80% of students who applied to university secured their first-choice university.

This figure is in-line with our five-year average. A further 13% secured their second choice, and the remainder successfully secured places through the Clearing process.

These universities included University College London, Exeter University, Edinburgh University, St. Andrews and the University of Manchester.

University of St Andrews Psychology Cardiff University Modern Languages and Translation Cardiff University Psychology with Professional Placement Loughborough University Psychology with Criminology (with placement year)University of Exeter Geography University of Sheffield Quantitative Social Sciences The University of Edinburgh English Literature University of St Andrews Global Online Year One University of Glasgow Geography/Social & Public Policy (Soc Sci)University of Brighton Biological Sciences with Integrated Foundation Year King's College London, University of London Global Health and Social Medicine University of Chester International Business Management (with Professional Placement Year)University of Manchester Psychology Lancaster University Management and Information Technology Northumbria University, Newcastle Business with Management Keele University History Royal Holloway, University of London Management with International Business (Year in Business)University Academy 92 (UA92)Business Studies University of Brighton Biological Sciences University of Sussex Media Production Lancaster University Law with Criminology Northumbria University, Newcastle Business Management Lancaster University Human Geography Northumbria University, Newcastle Business Management University of Cumbria Nursing/Registered Nurse: Adult Nursing University of St Andrews Biology Kent and Medway Medical School Medicine UCL, London University Biological Sciences Lancaster University Business Management (Industry)University of Exeter English and Drama Lancaster University Business Economics (Industry)University of Huddersfield Psychology with Counselling University of Birmingham Chemistry with Business Management Northumbria University, Newcastle Sport Management University of Aberdeen Economics and Finance

Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.

Boarding

Boarding at Windermere

Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Windermere.

Boarding houses
Girls 0, Boys 0, Mixed 2
Exeat weekends
No
Guardian required
Yes
Saturday lessons
No
Windermere — everyday boarding life

means that students can enjoy a vast range of activities during the weekend. The weekend programme is packed with trips to the theatre, tours of the area, shopping expeditions, and leisure activities such as bowling and roller-blading. Boarders form strong friendships with day students who regularly join in with the weekend activity programme.

We have three boarding houses, set within our Lake District woodland campus and each House has its own distinctive feel. They each offer a home away from home experience, with comfortable lounges to relax with friends, widescreen TVs, and kitchens.

Windermere — around the school

Each of the three Boarding Houses at Windermere School have live-in Housemasters and Housemistresses, to provide stability and a family atmosphere. Boarding is available for children from the age of 8 years. There are many options to choose, and we aim to find the right balance that suits each child and family.

Parents may select from full and weekly boarding, as well as flexi boarding for a night or two each week. Our three Boarding Houses offer a home away from home experience, with comfortable lounges to relax with friends, wide screen TVs, and kitchens.

We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.

Admissions

Windermere admissions

How children join Windermere, and how we make it simple.

01

Tell us about your child

Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.

02

We shortlist & introduce

We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.

03

Assessment, offer & enrolment

We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.

What you'll typically need

  • Recent school reports or transcript
  • Passport copy
  • English-language evidence (if applicable)
  • Completed registration form
  • A reference from the current school
Windermere — school buildings and grounds

Special notes to agents about entry to the school Agents will need to send the student's latest school report to the Admissions Department, from here a visit to the School can be arranged. If students are unable to travel to Windermere, Teams interviews with the Headmaster and Head of Year can be arranged.

Application procedure and entrance tests Please contact the Admissions Department to arrange a visit to the school. You will be asked to complete an online enquiry form and submit a current school report before the visit. Visits to the school will include a full tour and introductions to key members of staff.

As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.

Fees

Windermere fees & funding

What Windermere costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.

£9,833 - £15,667
Boarding / term
Yes
Guardian required
Available
Scholarships & bursaries

What termly boarding fees include

  • Tuition
  • Boarding accommodation
  • All meals
  • Pastoral & house care
  • Most academic materials

Funding & scholarships

Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Windermere.

Windermere — campus and grounds

Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Windermere against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.

Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.

Location

Windermere location & travel

Where Windermere is, and how to get there.

Windermere
Location
Rural
Setting
Cumbria
Region
Windermere — the school grounds

Travel details Address Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NW, England Airport transfer A direct train is available from Manchester Airport to Oxenholme (The Lake District) with a connecting train to Windermere. Travel time to London by train Longer than 3 hours Telephone +44 (0)15394 46164 Website https://www.

windermereschool. co. uk/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Manchester 91 100 2. Liverpool John Lennon 103 110 3. London Heathrow 268 270 4. London Gatwick 304 310 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1.

FAQs

Windermere — frequently asked questions

Where is Windermere?
Windermere School is located in Windermere, Cumbria, England. The full address is Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1NW.
How much are Windermere boarding fees?
Boarding fees at Windermere are £9,833 - £15,667 per term, depending on year group. Day places and international packages may differ — contact us for current figures.
What ages does Windermere take?
Windermere educates pupils aged 3 - 18, with boarders from 8 - 18.
Is Windermere co-educational?
Windermere is a girls boarding and day school.
When was Windermere founded?
Windermere was founded in 1863.
Does Windermere require a UK guardian?
Yes — international boarders at Windermere must have a UK-based guardian. We can arrange trusted guardianship if needed.
How many pupils study A-levels at Windermere?
Around 0 pupils study A-levels at Windermere.
What qualifications does Windermere offer?
Windermere prepares pupils for GCSE and A-level examinations, with strong EAL support for international students.
Does Windermere support SEN or EAL students?
Yes — Windermere supports a range of learning needs and English as an Additional Language. We can confirm specific provision for your child.
How many boarding houses does Windermere have?
Windermere has boarding houses (Girls 0, Boys 0, Mixed 2).
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Windermere?
No — Windermere does not have compulsory exeat weekends, so boarders can stay at weekends.
Does Windermere have Saturday lessons?
No — Windermere does not run Saturday lessons.
How do I apply to Windermere?
Applications to Windermere run through its admissions team. As your advisors we handle the introduction, paperwork and references for you — at no cost.
Does Windermere accept international students?
Yes — Windermere welcomes international boarders. We guide families through entry assessments, English requirements, guardianship and visas.
How much does Windermere cost?
Boarding fees at Windermere are £9,833 - £15,667 per term. Fees typically rise with year group and exclude extras such as registration deposits, EAL tuition and trips.
What's included in Windermere's fees?
Termly boarding fees usually cover tuition, accommodation and meals. Registration fees, deposits, uniform, EAL support and some activities are charged separately — we'll send you a full breakdown.
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Many UK boarding schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships, plus means-tested bursaries. Ask us and we'll check what Windermere currently offers.
Where exactly is Windermere?
Windermere is in Windermere, Cumbria. Address: Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1NW.
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