Windermere School
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
About Windermere
The story, ethos and character of Windermere.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Head
- Mr Frank Thompson

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 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.







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

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
Subjects offered
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 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

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.
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.
Windermere admissions
How children join Windermere, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
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
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.
Windermere fees & funding
What Windermere costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
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.
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.
Windermere location & travel
Where Windermere is, and how to get there.
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.
Windermere — frequently asked questions
Where is Windermere?
How much are Windermere boarding fees?
What ages does Windermere take?
Is Windermere co-educational?
When was Windermere founded?
Does Windermere require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Windermere?
What qualifications does Windermere offer?
Does Windermere support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Windermere have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Windermere?
Does Windermere have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Windermere?
Does Windermere accept international students?
How much does Windermere cost?
What's included in Windermere's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Windermere?
Considering Windermere for your child?
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