Loretto School

Founded in 1827, the school maintains a core ethos of educating the whole person in 'mind, body and spirit.' This approach aims to nurture, enrich, and inspire pupils to lead exceptional lives by fostering a supportive community that values loyalty, trust, and service. The school emphasizes the development of character alongside academic achievement.

The school provides a progressive curriculum starting with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence in the Junior School, which is enhanced by additional subjects and bespoke areas of interest. Junior School pupils study core subjects including literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and expressive arts, with specialist teaching introduced for subjects like art, drama, and music. The Senior School curriculum prepares students for further education, supported by a Sixth Form programme and a specialized Golf Academy that offers performance, development, and club squads.

The school focuses on educating the whole person in mind, body, and spirit to prepare pupils for life. In 2025, the school achieved a 98% A-Level pass rate. Pupils are encouraged to develop independence, confidence, and resilience, with many going on to successful futures.

The school supports all pupils, including those who excel and those who require different approaches to learning. Support is provided in class, in small groups, or on an individual basis, with specialist advice available from dedicated Support for Learning staff. The school identifies additional needs through teacher observation and internal assessments, creating individual pupil profiles to arrange and review appropriate interventions.

The school’s Admissions Team provides information and support to prospective families throughout the application process. Interested families are encouraged to contact the team via phone or email, or to request a prospectus for a comprehensive overview of school life. The school also hosts open events and welcomes visits to help families determine if Loretto is the right fit for their child.

The academic year is divided into three terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. Each term includes scheduled half-term breaks and designated overnight leave weekends for boarders. The school provides detailed term dates for upcoming sessions, including specific arrival and departure days for boarders and different year groups.

Located on an 85-acre campus, the school features comprehensive facilities for sport, including games pitches, an AstroTurf®, tennis and fives courts, a sports hall, and indoor and outdoor golf centres. Creative arts facilities include an art centre, a music school, a theatre, and a dance and drama studio. Academic facilities comprise bright classrooms, dedicated teaching areas for science, languages, and computing, and a newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre.

The school offers a wide-ranging enrichment programme designed to develop the whole person, including an entrepreneur club, cookery lessons, digital skills, and first aid courses. Senior School pupils can participate in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), which includes army and navy sections, as well as outdoor pursuits such as sailing, mountain biking, climbing, and bouldering. Leadership opportunities are available through various committees, prefect roles, and pupil councils.