The Lakes School

The Lakes School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere, in the English county of Cumbria.^[1]

The Lakes School
The Lakes School, centre, from Orrest Head
Location
Troutbeck Bridge Windermere , Cumbria , LA23 1HW England
Coordinates	54.39242°N 2.92239°W / 54.39242; -2.92239
Information
Type	Community school
Established	1965 (1965)
Local authority	Westmorland and Furness
Department for Education URN	112379 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Head Teacher	Sharon Rainey
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Enrolment	462 as of December 2022[update]
Website	http://thelakesschool.com

It is a comprehensive community school administered by Westmorland and Furness Council.^[2] Its catchment area includes: Grasmere, Langdale Valley, Ambleside, Troutbeck, Windermere, Bowness on Windermere and Staveley. The school also offers evening adult education classes to the local community.^[3]

History

The Lakes School is one of the first purpose built comprehensive schools and was opened by Tony Crosland MP, Secretary of State for Education, on 8 October 1965 the same year he issued Circular 10/65 promoting comprehensive education.

The school was first thought of in 1936 and brought together three existing schools, Windermere Grammar for boys, Kelswick, Ambleside, coeducational and Old College, Windermere, for girls. Windermere Grammar School is in the Guinness Book of Records as the first ever comprehensive school formed in 1945 after the Education Act 1944.^[4]

Notable alumni

• Chris Acland - Musician, Drummer with Lush. Attended the school from 1978-1985.^[5]
• Michael Cumming - Director, Filmmaker. Best known for his award winning comedy directing on Brass Eye, Toast Of London. Attended the school from 1974-1981.^[6]