Celebrating Alumni Achievement: Ben and Christopher Cooke’s DofE Success

15 May 2024

We are thrilled to share some incredible news from the Windermere School community! Mr & Mrs Cooke, two of our dedicated teachers, proudly shared that their twin sons, Ben and Christopher, have achieved a remarkable milestone.

Ben and Christopher joined Windermere School in 2007 when they were just 21 months old. Over the years, they have grown and thrived within our supportive and nurturing environment, progressing all the way to Year 13 as 18-year-olds. During their time at Windermere, they embarked on the challenging journey of completing their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards.

This week, Ben and Christopher reached the pinnacle of their DofE endeavours by collecting their Gold awards at Buckingham Palace! This prestigious achievement is a testament to their hard work, determination, and resilience. Their “can do” attitudes and witty sense of humour have made them stand out at Windermere School and helped them overcome even the harshest weather conditions during their Gold DofE expeditions.

The Cooke family has been an integral part of our school community. Mrs. Cooke, along with her husband Mr. Cooke, are teachers at Windermere and have been dedicated to fostering a love of learning and adventure in their sons and in all the pupils they teach. Their commitment to education and personal growth has clearly been passed on to Ben and Christopher, who have excelled both academically and personally.

We are incredibly proud of Ben and Christopher for their outstanding accomplishments and the positive example they set for their peers. Their journey through the DofE programme not only highlights their individual strengths but also reflects the supportive and enriching environment that Windermere School strives to provide.

As we celebrate Ben and Christopher’s achievements, we also recognize the importance of the DofE programme in developing essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. These experiences have undoubtedly prepared Ben and Christopher for the exciting futures that lie ahead of them.

Congratulations, Ben and Christopher, on your exceptional achievements! We eagerly anticipate the bright futures that await these two remarkable young men. The Windermere School community is immensely proud of you and your accomplishments.

Below are some pictures of Ben and Christopher through the years at Windermere School:

Year 11 Graduation

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Windsurfing at Hodge Howe

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Year 6 Production

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Junior School Prize Day

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Year 2 School Photo

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Year 2 School Photo

Windermere School the Cookes Gold DofE award

Junior School

Senior School

Sixth Form

Windermere School is an Independent Boarding and Day School for ages 3-18, across Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school offers holiday courses and a summer school programme, as well as short term immersion courses for international pupils, as well as an award winning IB programme. Join the adventure today >