A Lake District school has been praised for its adventure education.
Windermere School was visited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate last month.
The inspectorate is appointed by the Government’s Department for Education to inspect independent schools.
Inspectors examine schools’ leadership, quality of education, pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, their social and economic education and contribution to society and safeguarding.
The inspectorate said Windermere School met all its standards.
It said as a direct result of its Windermere Adventure programme, pupils gained significantly in confidence, independence and leadership development skills.
The programme is a core part of the school’s curriculum and includes climbing, caving and sailing.
Inspectors found that its curriculum was geared to maximise pupils’ opportunities, depending on their abilities and interests.
It offers GCSE, IGCSE, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and IB Career-related vocational routes.
Inspectors said the majority of teaching was well planned and delivered so pupils made good progress across all subjects.
However, they added, not all teaching in years three to 11 used opportunities to challenge and extend pupils’ thinking, which resulted in inconsistent progress in those instances.
SEND pupils were well supported, inspectors found and added the early years was well led and sixth form pupils were challenged.
Frank Thompson, head of Windermere School, said: “We are thrilled that the ISI has recognised the heart of what we do here.
“This report validates our belief that academic ambition and outdoor adventure aren’t mutually exclusive – they feed into one another.
“Seeing our Windermere Adventure programme, which begins in the earliest years and develops through to sixth form, described as a significant strength is a testament to our staff’s dedication to building character alongside intellect.”
