Welcome from the Headmaster

I hope these pages give you at least an inkling of the “paradise for children” that awaits you at Windermere Preparatory School. A visit most certainly will. Come and meet the overwhelmingly happy children who will take great pleasure in explaining and describing the beautiful and secure environment of their school.

The School is located on the Elleray estate, overlooking Windermere and the Fells beyond, including the Langdales, Scafell and Coniston Old Man and just down the hill is our own lakeside watersports centre. These are all an important part of our academic classroom.We seek to inspire the children in everything they do. We want every child to enjoy every minute at school and to build a desire to pursue and achieve excellence.

Our aim is to develop confident, free thinking and ambitious individuals who are not just prepared for the next stage of their education but for life.I am particularly proud of our curriculum. We have designed our own, putting Science at the centre with other subjects linking to it where possible. This emphasis on Science goes against the current trend in primary schools, but at Windermere we believe that as Science is at the heart of everything in life, it naturally connects with every subject in a curriculum. We have experienced so many benefits from this approach, offering an engaging and relevant timetable of lessons that extends the pupils academically, creatively and physically; importantly, they also have fun. In Year 6, pupils experience The Elleray Exhibition, a culmination of all the knowledge and skills they have gained so far vital to our success is the way we individually track children through their time here, in a way that can easily be understood and very much includes the pupils, teachers and parents. This approach gives us all confidence that all pupils are working hard and making good progress.

We also offer a broad range of after-school activities, a majority at no extra charge, which most pupils stay for each day, including a variety of sports, arts & crafts and music. We also encourage pupils to be involved in the organisation of the school, giving them a chance to assume responsibility and make decisions, in a friendly environment. We believe that it is by taking advantage of these opportunities that each child can find his or her own area of expertise and meet with success. In this way, the confidence of the child grows so that bigger challenges can be met in the future.

We believe that the school blends the very best of the traditions of a Preparatory School with the most modern educational techniques and practices. Standards of behaviour at our school, and mutual respect, are just as important as the high academic standards to which we aspire.

When you visit us, I am confident that you will sense the happy family atmosphere the moment you walk through the door. As you meet the children and staff you will understand that the passion for learning and life is inherent in us all. You are welcome to visit us any day of the week, just call 015394 46164 or email admissions@windermereschool.co.uk to make an appointment. I look forward to welcoming you to Windermere Preparatory School very soon.

Ben Freeman, Headmaster