Studying

Structure

Loretto School welcomes children from 3 to 18 years old, building a continuous educational journey from preschool through final year. Since all stages occupy a single campus near Edinburgh, students transition between levels without leaving the familiar environment they’ve grown accustomed to. This through-line model allows teachers to observe each child’s development over many years, while the school’s modest size ensures staff can remember everyone and tailor the pace and format accordingly.

Stages:

• Pre-School (3–5 years) — young learners explore through play, with one forest school day weekly
• Junior School (5–12 years) — core curriculum expands to include French, art, drama, music and sport with specialists
• Senior School — GCSE students choose from 18 subjects
• Sixth Form — around 150 students prepare for university through A-levels and Extended Project Qualification

Schedule at Loretto School

The day opens at 8:20 with a tutor meeting where students discuss current matters and schedule their weekly one-to-one conversation. Lessons begin at 8:30 — seven 50-minute periods that always incorporate sports sessions led by specialists from the athletic department and Golf Academy. After core classes, pupils can join over 40 co-curricular activities: workshops, play rehearsals, music practice, environmental projects or Combined Cadet Force. They then have dinner before heading home or to their residence.

Support

With one staff member for every seven students, Loretto School ensures teachers quickly learn each child’s name, notice their inclinations and find moments for genuine conversation. Students belong to small groups that gather daily, where tutors discuss both academic progress and personal concerns with their charges. Regular calls or messages keep parents informed, with Housemasters and Housemistresses enriching life beyond lessons while residential staff rotate evening duty so boarders always have someone to approach.

All-round Development

Loretto School runs over 80 co-curricular activities — from astronomy and ceramics to engineering, yoga and Highland Dance, spanning arts, science, sport and entrepreneurship. Saturday Enrichment runs 9:00–12:00 for non-athletes: intensive courses like Build a Brand, journalism, psychopathology or film music analysis. Younger students in years 4–7 attend Saturday sessions featuring rotating termly activities, while musical theatre participants rehearse every Saturday from January through May.