We believe that boarding is a rich and life-affirming experience for our Sixth Form students. We know that they leave us well prepared for the demands and challenges of university life. Their friendships are extraordinarily long-lived. They are independent, resilient, resourceful, cheerful, tolerant, pro-active, kind, capable young men and women who go on to make their mark on the world.

Our boarders come from far and wide. Many are local – a few live closer to school than some of their day student friends. Others come from the northwest of England, while others are from further afield in the UK and some from overseas. This makes for a varied and vibrant community within the house.

The pastoral support at Windermere School is unrivalled. New students settle in well, and the relationships between staff and students are a key strength of the Sixth Form. Staff go the extra mile to get to know students in their tutor group extremely well, and academic progress is monitored continually to allow everyone to achieve their potential. Academic Tutors also spend time in the Sixth Form boarding house each night to offer that extra level of academic support.

Relationships with parents are also strong, and staff are always happy to speak with parents and to work in partnership with a focus on the student. As a school, we strive to do more than equip our children academically for the future. Developing resilience has perhaps never been as important as it is now and our forward-thinking pastoral programme has this aim at its heart.

A strong sense of self-esteem can help a student reach their full potential and our staff embrace their duty to provide support to each and every individual. We believe good relationships are the key to success whether it is on the sports field, academically, creatively, or in outdoor pursuits.

“The opportunities I have had at Windermere School have been a gift. The boarding community is an incredibly supportive, proactive, and exciting place in which everyone can thrive and be the best they can be.”

– Martya B, Former Head Student