Today, BBC News featured a discussion around whether young adults are truly prepared for the workplace when they leave school - particularly when it comes to confidence, communication and social skills.

It certainly sparked conversation, but from a Windermere School perspective, I found myself disagreeing.

This morning, I was reminded exactly why.

I headed down to Hodge Howe to say hello to our young sailors before they headed out onto the lake. While there, I met Stannite Silas, now a fully qualified sailing instructor and leading sessions with both children and parents.

What struck me most was not simply his technical ability or professionalism, impressive though they were. It was his confidence. His warmth. His ability to speak naturally to everyone around him, whether reassuring a nervous child, chatting with parents or calmly organising the group before they launched.

Watching him interact with others, I felt incredibly proud.

At Windermere School, our pupils are encouraged from a young age to step beyond their comfort zones. Whether through outdoor learning, boarding life, leadership opportunities, sport, performance, Round Square experiences or simply being part of a close-knit community, they learn how to communicate, collaborate and connect with people from all walks of life.

These are skills that cannot always be measured in exam results, but they matter enormously in life beyond school.

Silas is a wonderful example of this. A young man who not only has the confidence to lead, but the emotional intelligence to make others feel comfortable and included around him.

Of course, every young person’s journey is different. But moments like this are a reminder that education is about far more than academics alone. It is about developing character, resilience, kindness and the confidence to walk into the world ready to contribute positively.

Today, standing by the lake at Hodge Howe, watching a former pupil now guiding the next generation, I was reminded exactly what a Windermere School education can help create.

And I could not have been prouder.