Windermere School
School summary
Set in the heart of the Lake District, Windermere School is a small independent school where boarding and day pupils learn side by side from ages 3 to 11. With only around 67 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly six to one, classes are intimate and individual attention is built into daily life. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. Inter-denominational in character, it offers a setting where families seeking a close-knit, personalised environment will feel at home.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 24 February 2026
Teaching & academics
The very low pupil-to-teacher ratio of about six to one allows teachers to tailor their approach to each child, a clear strength in a school this size. The ISI's judgement of excellent across the board points to consistently strong teaching and provision. For families considering 11+ entry, the school admits pupils at this age and offers a structured, supportive route through the prep years under the leadership of headteacher Jenny Davies.
Pre-prep and prep school headteacher · Jenny Davies
Beyond the classroom
As a boarding and day school in the Lake District, Windermere benefits from a setting that lends itself naturally to outdoor and experiential learning. Boarding life adds a further dimension to the wider school community beyond the classroom.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- Inter- / non- denominational
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Pupils sign the acceptable use policy annually which states they must hand in mobile phones/devices to school office and they will be secured safely until end of day
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £7,275 - £19,500
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £27,566 - £32,166
Available
Schools nearby
Cairn Education CIC
Cumbria, North West
Cambian Whinfell School
Kendal, North West
South Lakes Academy
Kendal, North West
Oversands School
Grange-over-Sands, North West
SwitchED2
Cumbria, North West
Old Windebrowe
Keswick, North West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small Lakeland school where personalised teaching and an excellent ISI rating come together. Day and boarding options, plus bursaries, widen the door for the right families.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Windermere School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.