Even before I reached the water, there was a challenge: wrestling with a wetsuit for the first time! Once I finally managed, I stayed close to the shore, feet planted firmly on the lakebed.

I’ll admit, I was nervous. But little by little, I went deeper until the water reached my shoulders. To many, that may seem like an everyday task, but for me it was a big achievement — and an important reminder of what we mean at Windermere School when we talk about the Spirit of Adventure.

Adventure doesn’t always mean scaling mountains or paddling across vast lakes (though our pupils do plenty of that!). Sometimes it’s about taking the first step into something unfamiliar, testing our own boundaries, and finding confidence where fear once sat.

At Windermere School we encourage pupils — from our youngest learners to our Sixth Formers preparing for the world beyond Browhead — to embrace challenges, explore boldly, and learn about themselves through experience. That is why our curriculum includes Adventure and Outdoor Learning, and why we are working to bring Adventurous Learning back into the timetable: to make meaningful connections between subjects and the incredible landscape that surrounds us.

My own small plunge into the lake was a humbling reminder that bravery often begins with something simple: saying yes when a part of you wants to stay on the shore.

🌟 Calling all Stannites! 🌟
I’d love to hear your stories of moments when you stepped out of your comfort zone — whether at school or beyond. Share them in the comments or send them to us so we can celebrate the many ways our community lives the Spirit of Adventure.

If you’d also like to support our current pupils by contributing to the Windermere Bursary Fund, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/windermere-bursary?utm_term=QXPWxKEKd&utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

Together, we can ensure that future generations of Stannites have the chance to learn, grow, and discover their own courage — both in the classroom and out in the world.