ONE SCHOOL – ONE SITE
Parent FAQs
How can I ask questions about the move?
This FAQdocumentwill be updated regularly with new questions thatcome in from our community. Please send any questions you may have to wps@windermereschool.co.uk and we will do our best to answer in a timely manner. Please be aware answers will not be sent by return email but added to this document. However, our Reception team will always confirm receipt of your message.
Why is the move to one site necessary?
The move to become one school, on one site, has been the subject of discussion for several years. In anticipation of the imposition of VAT after the General Election and with the determination not to compromise the school’s offering and experience for all pupils, the decision was finalised.
What is the timeline for the move?
Precise timelines are still to be confirmed; however, the transition to becoming one school, on one site, is expected to be in place for February 2025, subject to the timely completion of building works.
What year groups will this affect?
This move will affect all Junior School children Pre-School, Reception and Years 1 to 2 will be classed as Pre-Prep, with Years 3 to 6 classed as Prep.
Which buildings/locations on the Senior School Campus will be used?
Prep School children (Years 3 to 6) will be housed in the heart of the school, on the first floor of the main school building, Browhead. These rooms are some of the most beautiful in the school, with fine proportions, high ceilings and stunning views across Windermere.
Our Pre-Prep children (Pre-School to Year 2) will have their own home in the former Head Teacher's house, now to be called Elleray House, which is nestled between the Jenkins and Langdale buildings. This separate two-storey building will be extended and refurbished to suit our youngest pupils' needs and will open onto a beautiful mature garden area and new playground facilities.
What will happen to Elleray Campus?
We will release the capital value of the Elleray Campus, and Savills will be taking the sale to the open market. This will cushion the impact of the 20% VAT tax levy and will allow us to reinvest in the infrastructure of Windermere School.
Why could parents not be informed about the one site move before now?
The removal of independent schools’ exemption from VAT was included in the Labour manifesto, but there were no timings or full details provided. Following the July election, the expectation was for a September 2025 VAT imposition. Some schools chose to make announcements at this juncture but have subsequently had to backtrack on promises.
The final decision to impose VAT in January was announced in July and between then and August the governing board and school leadership team were looking at options with that timescale in mind. For some time, we have been engaging professionals to forecast our options. If we had announced sooner, it would have been to tell you that there were several possibilities, and we were looking seriously and awaiting final figures etc. The decision was made that families would rather know what was going to happen, rather than what might happen.
Can we see any visuals?
The architects' visuals are published on the school website, as well as a ‘fly-through’ video of the Pre-Prep building. We will post photos to show you the exciting progress of your children’s new classrooms and facilities.
Where will Junior School assemblies take place?
Junior School assemblies will take place in a shared, multi-functional space as they do now. This is likely to be the Dance Studio, which has been chosen for its proximity to the Pre-Prep and size
This space will provide the continued invitation for parents to attend assemblies throughout the year. The Junior School will also be able to use Wetherlam, a spacious room on the ground floor of Browhead.
How will the move affect the daily routine for Junior School children?
The daily routine will remain largely unchanged for Junior School children. Arrivals and departures will continue to be safe and well-managed, with dedicated spaces for Junior School activities.
Is there a bus service for parents that currently walk their children to the Junior School Campus?
Yes, there is currently a bus service for our families in Windermere. You can find all the up-todate information on our bus service on the Parent Information section of the school website.
Will parents be able to park to drop off children?
This was a key concern when considering the move to one site as we know how much our Junior School parents value walking their children into school and the opportunities it gives to interact with staff and each other.
Parents will be able to park in newly designated sections of the current school tennis courts and walk their children in through the Terrace door of the Browhead building. There will also beparking
located close to Elleray House, for those with younger children. There will be appropriate access for those unable to enter using the stairs.
Where will the children eat?
The younger children will eat in the room currently serving as the Dance Studio, which is located next to the main dining room, providing a quieter space for the delivery of a family dining experience. It is being discussed that as part of transition to the Senior school, the older children could eat in the main dining room before Senior School service begins. The careful catering provision,adapted for youngpalates and meetingspecial dietary requirements, which the children enjoy so much, will remain.
Will my child have use of the specialist facilities?
Yes, children will have age-appropriate access to all the specialist facilities currently located on the Senior School site, such as the Art room, Crampton Hall theatre, ICT suite, Sports Hall, Science laboratories and Astroturf.
Will DT still be offered and where will it be located?
A DT facility will be housed in the Art block, and the current Pi Shop has now been relocated to become part of the ICT suite in the Browhead building. We hope this specialist provision, valued so much by our Junior School community, will in time be extended to Year 7 and 8.
Will there be a dedicated play area for the Pre-Prep?
There will be several dedicated play areas that will be located around the Elleray House building including a sheltered area, a cycle track on rubber crumb surface, climbing wall and grass areas with play equipment, with several ‘zones’ in place allowing staff to expand or contract spaces depending on activity and appropriate supervision levels.
Where will the Prep children spend breaktime?
The children will have age-appropriate access to specific areas within the grounds. These will include dedicated space on the tennis courts and the grass area between Westmorland House and the Pre-Prep at Elleray House. There will also be opportunities to use the Astroturf, landscaped areas, and woodlands.
Will Forest School still be offered and where will it be located?
Forest School will remain an integral part of our curriculum for the Pre-Prep children and will take place within the extensive wooded areas of the campus. Precise locations will be determined through further discussions with Junior School staff.
How much input will Junior School staff have on the plan?
Junior School staff are a key part of the planning process of both the Prep and Pre-Prep buildings and will continue to bring their expertise and knowledge to ensure the success of the one site move.
How will you preserve the unique feeling of the Junior School, when on a single site?
We are aware of the magic of the Junior School, which resides in our wonderful community of children, staff and families, rather than any building. We will not lose sight of what makes our Junior School such an exceptional place for children to learn and grow and believe this move will preserve and enhance this.
We recognise that with older children on the same campus, careful planning will be required to ensure appropriate separation as well as intentional mixing. This will be guided by the expertise of the Junior School staff. It is important that the move is beneficial for all parties.
The roles of Head of the Junior School and Deputy Head of the Junior School will remain, and they will spend regular time with staff and children in both the Pre-Prep and Prep, as they do now, ensuring there continues to be excellent communication between the two phases of the Junior School.
Will the refurbishments be ready on time?
An external Project Manager has been hired to ensure that the building work required will be completed promptly.
This Project Manager is leading and coordinating all developments regarding the move to one site and is updating the school’s Senior Leadership Team regularly and we will keep you informed as we go.
Will the words Elleray and Browhead still be used?
Windermere School has always and will continue to consist of a Junior School and Senior School. The Junior School sections will be called Pre-Prep and Prep, just as the Senior School sections are called Lower School, Middle School and Sixth Form. However, we expect the Junior School to continue to also use the name Elleray as its familiar name
Will Stay and Play continue?
We are committed to our Stay and Play sessions continuing and will primarily use the new EYFS classroom and outdoor area. Pre-School children will join in with the Stay and Play children, as they do now, with Reception children going upstairs with Years 1 and 2. This is the format we follow now, and it will continue to be staffed accordingly and appropriately.
Will the whole Junior School move together?
It is our strong preference that we move together for our sense of cohesion and community as well as the logistics of sharing the staffing across the key stages.
The locations of the Pre-Prep and Prep buildings feel quite separate, how will the united feeling of the Junior School remain?
The Junior School will continue to join for playtimes, assemblies and lunchtimes as they do now, and in addition we will be creating shared reading spaces in the Prep building where siblings can enjoy reading time together. Junior School community events such as Inter-House competitions, Sports Day, Music Assemblies, Choir and Prize Day, will all continue as normal.
Will there be a music room as well as music practice rooms?
Yes, there will be a music room in the Prep building, and children will have access to the individual music practice rooms in the Jenkins building for their music lessons.
Will there be changes to the staffing?
We aim to use the whole school staff according to their specialisms There may be more integration between Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, joining together for lessons such as Science in the Outdoor Classroom.
If it is appropriate to bring in specialist teachers currently on the Senior School staff, this will continue to happen ina similar way to now, it will just be mucheasier toorganise! Itwill be fantastic to build on these enhancements to the curriculum for our younger children using the extended skill base of the Senior School staff.
How are you planning to supervise playtime, and will it cause issues for staff to ensure safety?
At first glance Browhead campus can appear large and maybe a little daunting. However, it will be easier for staff to supervise play and breaktimes because the areas are more contained. They are almost like ‘rooms’ within the grounds. The children will feel independent but not on their own. It won’t alter how we supervise, and staff will ensure that the children remain safe while appropriately pushing their own boundaries and enjoying their free play, as they do now There have been several ‘zones’ created around Elleray House allowing staff to expand or contract spaces depending on activity and appropriate supervision levels, with particular reference to our youngest children
Are spaces being taken away from Senior School children for the Junior School children to use?
There are no indoor spaces that are being removed for our Senior School children, instead they will become shared spaces, with the Junior School using the facilities at times when they are currently empty or un-used, making for a more efficient use of facilities such as the Dance Studio, Wetherlam, and Holst.
The Pi Shop has been moved up to a referbished ICT room, retaining this facility Outdoors, we will use a combination of bringing new areas into use and time-sharing currently used spaces to ensure Senior School pupils have plenty of areas for recreation.
What will the proceeds of the land sale be used for?
To fund the transition, improve facilities and equipment for all our pupils and pay off loans. There are no fixed plans for future projects, but funds are likely to be used to fund Phase 2 of the Junior
School relocation (adding a solid extension to Elleray House for example), while improving the facilities in the school that pupils of all ages will benefit from.
How will you keep the transition between Year 6 to Year 7 exciting?
This excitement will come through what they can do rather than where they do it. Mrs Cooke, Head of Lower School, will continue to work closely with the Year 6 teacher, as well as the Head and Deputy of the Junior School to ensure there is fun and exciting change waiting for children moving into Year 7.
Will having Junior School children on the Senior site permanently impact public examinations?
Ensuring there are calm, quiet and size appropriate areas withing the school for pupils to sit their public examinations was a key concern when planning the one site move. Pupils will sit their public examinations in the Sports Hall, and steps are being taken so that children will be able to use the space for PE when examinations are not in progress.
Is there enough flexibility in the plan that the Junior School team can make the relevant changes?
Mrs Davies and her team are integral to the formation and success of the one site move. They are the experts, and their voices and opinions are highly valued. Mrs Davies has been involved from the start and the plan will continue to be updated as we move forward. This is Phase One and there will be more things to do, and that will lead to Phase Two. There will be more forums to update you on the project’s progress.
What other options have been considered to raise money before taking the decision to sell the Elleray campus?
The board has considered other land sales around both Junior and Senior campuses, working in partnership with planning consultants and proceeding with some planning applications This was successful with the sale of the Gate House and to the right of the drive on Elleray campus, however, other parcels have been refused or we have been advised that due to their distance from the town, that planning permission is extremely unlikely
What is Elleray campus worth?
The building was valued by Christies in January 2024 With several interested parties an offmarket sale exceeding this valuation may be an option or we may hold a public auction. We have appointed Savills and they are advising the board on the way to achieve the best capital receipt from the sale, while also considering compliance with the Charity Commission regulations.
Is planning permission needed for the one site changes?
We have employed a planning consultant to provide guidance, and with the alterations proposed, permissions would only be needed for an extension to the Pre-Prep building We have appointed a highways engineer to assess the use of the entrance gate for two-way traffic.
Is the school viable in the long term?
Yes. Our current restructuring gives us the best financial model to operate as a school offering high quality education into the foreseeable future. The removal of the Elleray campus liability costs such as business rates, utilities, service maintenance, grass cutting, trees and general upkeep,will deliver ongoingrevenue savings that give the school a contingency margin to weather any future challenges, a surplus that can be reinvested in our facilities, and the ability to keep our school fees competitive.
Does the school have any plans for developing new revenue streams?
The school currently operates a successful Summer School which catered to over 200 international pupils in summer 2024. While there were options for local children, this offer will be extended for the coming year with particular focus on the watersports facilities at Hodge Howe. We also generate income from special holiday lets and immersion experiences for overseas pupils. We are always open to considering new ideas and frequently do so but are mindful that our prime focus must be on educating the children of the school.
The planned cloakrooms look small, how will this be resolved?
The proposed areas have been reconfigured, and we are now confident that there are now ample changingfacilities for both boys and girls. There will also be an additional Hub area where children meet their teacher before their activity begins.
Will there be a playground with swings, slides, climbing frame etc and where will it be located?
Yes, we will have swings, a slide and a climbing frame. We have yet to finalise the best location and will update you once this is decided. Currently the favoured location is the grassy area between Elleray House and the Jenkins building.
The drive to the Pre-Prep seems incredibly narrow, will this be made wider or incorporate sufficient passing places?
This is a single lane pathway which has recently been resurfaced. There will be passing spaces added along the path to ensure a drop off that is as smooth and stress free as possible.
Is there sufficient car parking allocated?
New parking spaces will be created at the base of Elleray House, with parents also having the option to use the car park predominantly used for the school mini buses as a spillover space, which is also located below Elleray House. A section of the tennis courts will provide ample parking for the parents of children in Years 3 to 6 Please note that the tennis courts will be closed to parking during the school day so that they can still be used for sport and recreation. Relocating staff parking will also open more spaces for all parents.
It seems that the Prep School areas will be ready before the Pre-School areas. Will PrePrep and Prep school children move together?
It is our strong preference that we move together for our sense of cohesion and community as well as the logistics of sharing the staffing across the key stages. We understand the importance of this to the children, parents and staff.
Will the work of Mrs Jane Kirkpatrick continue?
Mrs Kirkpatrick’s work in ensuring that the allergies and food preferences of the Junior School pupils are met is greatly appreciated by everyone. She plans the introduction of new flavours to the younger children carefully to help educate their pallets and creates celebrations around food that are quite pronominal, from spontaneous BBQs to Christmas extravaganzas. We intend for her work to continue, and this includes her teaching of Food & Nutrition.
How will the school combat the increased noise levels of having younger children on the site?
We are particularly mindful of the noise of play when it comes to internal and external examinations. Plans are underway to make use of the Sports Hall for examinations. The Dance Studio, which will be used for Junior School dining, will still be used at other times for the creative arts and other purposes too. There have been acoustic checks carried out on both locations with appropriate measures being put in place.
Will the bus schedule change due to there being one less stop between campuses?
The new bus times will be published in due course. We expect that by having only one destination the travel time for some pupils will be reduced, however, this might also provide the opportunity to provide additional stops along the way.
Has the school considered using the community for funds and showcasing the importance that Windermere School has for the local community?
We are considering how to work more closely with people and businesses in the local community. We hope to set up a new co-sponsorship soon and will announce this when arrangements are confirmed.
Please keep sending us ideas on how we can involve pupils further with the community. It is an important part of their service education and helps spread the good name of the school too.
Can we see an aerial photographic view of Browhead and the surrounding gardens so we can understand the space and potential for development?
Please find arial photos below for your information. The boundary runs in an arch along the line of tress around the AstroTurf, with much of our woodland being protected by the Forestry Commision.
You might also find it useful to look through the arial shots of the campus on our 360 virtual school tour, with both campuses available to view.
It is our intention to sell all the landand buildings thatcurrently makeup the Junior School campus.
Will the move affect the Lower School play spaces?
We are opening an extra grass area for the Lower School to play on near Langdale House as well as the Terrace in front of Browhead. Ball games can be played on an area of the AstroTurf which can be separated into sections by age.
We are looking at the possibility of different break times in the morning so that the tennis courts can be used separately. We will create zoned areas and allow supervised mixing between the older members of the Junior School and the Lower School.
Where will Senior School children spend wet breaktimes?
Lower School will continue to use the Langdale Common Room. Middle School now have access to a social space within the Dance Studio.
What is the marketing strategy after the sale of Elleray campus?
Our overall approach is to both reduce costs, which we have largely done, and to increase numbers attending Windermere School. We will do this by focusing on developing and communicating our key strengths and unique qualities - our USPs. We are also limiting our fee rises caused by VAT and in time will introduce a loyalty discount scheme for parents whose children go all the way through the school.
What are the initiatives for recruiting Junior School pupils?
We have a proactive strategy which has been ratified through our governors. We will continue to operate our Stay & Play, which families find helpful in preparing their children for Pre-School We have also significantly cut our fees for our youngest years. At a time when it is harder for many to afford school fees, we want to make it more affordable to start at Pre-School or Reception age We will continue with our program of Open Days which have been well attended.
What will happen to the Junior School’s popular and long-standing family events such as Sports Day, Music Assemblies, Family BBQs and Prize Day Teas?
These amazing events will continue as they have always done. The venues may be different, however, the experiences for both children and families will not alter.
How will regular access to Lower School administration continue?
It is proposed that the administration remains as it is, with the Junior School office being located at the end of the current Senior School office, by the main staircase in the Browhead building. Ensuring that parents will still have the opportunity to park, walk their children into school and interact with each other and staff was a key concern when considering the one site move.
Parents will be able to drop into the school reception as they do now. Ms Osmaston will be located in the main school reception area and will be available to answer questions, chat, and ferry forgotten bags and equipment to the children in both the Prep and Pre-Prep.
Will the school consider accepting children younger than three?
We would love to offer nursery provision for our families in the future, however, due to the financial and practical implications we cannot currently provide the appropriate provision for children under the age of three. This is something that we will continue to consider and hope to work towards it.
Will you be able to offer a Breakfast Club now you are on one site?
Yes, we are really excited about the prospect of being able to offer a Breakfast Club to both our Pre-Prep and Prep aged children once we are located on one site. Precise logistics are being finalised; however, we are hopeful that we will launch this provision on relocating.
Will Senior School pupils still be welcome within the main building?
Yes, Senior School pupils will still have use of the main building. The Junior School will be located on the first floor of the building (where the girls’ boarding was previously located) and Senior School use of the full ground floor, including Crampton Hall, ICT suite, Wellbeing Centre, Pi Shop, Library etc will continue as normal.
The quiet space that we currently have outside the Wellbeing Centre will remain and means that the Junior School will not be disturbed by the presence of Senior School pupils in the Browhead building.
Where will the break time areas for Senior School pupils be?
It is important that our Senior School pupils have appropriate locations to enjoy their break time, irrespective of the Junior School’s relocation. Carefulwork has been put into this over the previous term, reimagining how we use the Dance Studio (Middle School) and Langdale House common room (Lower School) as social spaces. The Sixth Form Study Centre has also been renovated to ensure Years 12 and 13 have an inspiring space to study and socialise during the school day.
Senior School pupils will continue to have access to outdoor spaces such as the Astro Turf and tennis courts along with areas of woodland and lawn. We will create zoned areas and allow supervised mixing between the older members of the Junior School and the Lower School where appropriate. These ‘zones’ have been identified and mapped, please see below:
A – Pre-Prep Learning Zone and free-flow outdoor play area
B – Extended Pre-Prep breaktime area
C – Junior School Climbing Zone and Allotments accessible for
D – Prep School Play Zone
NB - whilst age groups are stated, there will be times when crossover of age groups happens and encouraged, as they are now.
Key:
• Red Line –“safeguarding” boundary weldmesh fencing, 2.4m height
• Yellow Line – gates
• Blue Line – play area segregation fencing, approx. 1.5m high
How much noise will be generated by the younger children, and will this be distracting?
We are mindful that having smaller children on Browhead Campus will generate a different type of noise than Senior School pupils are currently used to. There have been acoustic checks carried out on both locations being used to house the Junior School with appropriate measures being put in place to combat noise during the school day.
Break times are an opportunity to let off steam and make noise for all our pupils, no matter their age, and wehope to keep distractions to aminimum duringlesson time through careful timetabling and use of play time ‘zones’ for the younger children.
Plans are underway to make use of the Sports Hall, which is located on the far side of the site, to ensure there is no distraction for internal and external examinations.
Will the Senior School pupils be treading on eggshells so as not to upset or scare the younger ones?
There will be appropriate mixing of Junior and Senior School pupils from time to time and Senior School pupils will be expected to act as role models during these times We are excited about the opportunities for kindness, empathy and leadership this will present for our older pupils
The older pupils’ social spaces are well away from the Junior School areas so older pupils can relax withoutconcerns thatJunior pupils will be disturbed We will continue to monitor the situation once the move to one site has taken place to ensure that that all members of our school community are comfortable with the new arrangements. It is important that the move is beneficial for all parties.
What is being done to ensure the older children do not feel their space is being invaded?
The Junior School will be moving into areas of Browhead campus that are currently not used by the Senior School. The first floor of Browhead was formerly used as the girls’ boarding house, and the previously named Browfoot, was a former Head Teacher's house. Space and facilities will be more effectively utilised once the one site move has taken place.
This FAQ document will be updated regulary with new questions that come in from parents. Please send any questions you may have to wps@windermereschool.co.uk and we will do our best to answer in a timely manner. Please be aware that answers will not be sent by return email but added to this document. However, our reception team will always confirm receipt of your message.