Founded in 1827, it was bought in 1862 by Hely Hutchinson Almond, a distinguished scholar of strong and unconventional convictions, who was its Head until 1903. It has a fine 85-acre site on the banks of the River Esk, surrounded by beautiful countryside 6 miles from Edinburgh. The buildings are handsome and many recent developments have produced excellent facilities, most recently refurbished science laboratories and boarding houses, addditional art and ICT rooms and state-of-the-art sound recording studio. Founded as a boys' school, girls were admitted to the sixth form in 1981 and at 13 in 1995; it is now fully co-educational. Its emphasis is on the development of the individual through academic, intellectual, sporting, musical, dramatic pursuits in a secure environment. The policy has been to keep the school small, where staff and pupils can know each other personally. There is a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:9. Academic standards are high and results consistently good. Very strong in music, drama and art. It has long had a reputation for excellence in sports and games of which there is a wide variety. The highly successful Loretto Golf Academy teaches all aspects of the game (the golf courses to the east provide its fairway) and the new Cricket Academy is under the direction of a former England cricketer. There are many clubs and societies, including a CCF and the pipe band. Physical fitness and regular exercise are high priorities and there is an emphasis on adventure training. There is a substantial commitment to local community services and an outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. The school makes full use of the cultural, sporting and leisure opportunities of Edinburgh.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 530 pupils, 305 day (160 boys, 145 girls), 225 boarding (125 boys, 100 girls). Senior school 12-18, 320 pupils (200 boys, 120 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam (entrance and scholarship) used. General all-round contribution looked for. Own junior school (The Nippers) provides 50%-70% of senior intake.
Number of scholarships awarded, value up to 50% of fees: academic, all-rounder, art, golf, music, drama, sport. Also some bursaries.
Headmaster: Peter Hogan, in post from 2008. Educated at Bablake Grammar School, and the universities of Liverpool, Leeds and the Open University. Previously Warden of Llandovery College, Deputy Head at Sunderland High School, Head of Economics at Trent College and at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School and taught at Leeds Grammar School. Also FRSA. Teaching staff: 48 full time, 5 part time (senior school).
GCSE: 48 in fifth: 84% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 7 subjects). A-levels: 60 in upper sixth. 19% pass in 4+ subjects; average passes in 3½ subjects, with an average final point score of 329.
100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, including to Oxbridge. Popular subjects include medicine, veterinary science, law, business studies, science, mathematics, engineering, social sciences, art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level excluding general studies; upper sixth may add further AS-levels. On average 40% take science/engineering A-levels; 30% take arts and humanities; 30% a mixture. Vocational: Work experience compulsory. Special provision: For mild to moderate specific learning difficulties (dyslexia). Languages: French, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges. Pupils from abroad in school for varying periods of time (eg France, Germany, Thailand, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken. Many musical groups including chamber choir, sax quartet, blues band, pipes and drums, rock bands, instrumental ensemble; whole school forms a choir, singing weekly anthem in harmony. GCSE, AS and A-level music and music technology offered. Pipes and drums tours, winners of international piping competitions. Drama: GCSE, AS and A-level offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: Popular choice at GCSE, AS and A-level. Design, sculpture, textiles also offered.
Sport: Rugby (autumn), hockey (spring), cricket (summer) compulsory for boys; hockey (autumn), lacrosse (spring), tennis (summer) for girls. Optional: golf, athletics, swimming, squash, sailing, fives, skiing, cross country, horse riding, sub-aqua, badminton, softball etc. The Golf Academy offers structured learning of all aspects of the game from 8 years. Activities: Pupils take gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; also CCF and community service. Various debating groups, Amnesty International, conservation etc.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Prefects, heads of school, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster and housemasters/mistresses. Committees for eg charities. Regular leadership seminars on service and management. Religion: Ecumenical. Sunday chapel and mid-week services compulsory. Social: Sharing of school and local facilities eg sports hall, swimming pool, squash club, theatre; carol service for town. Some organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school (summer term). Meals informal cafeteria system. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
All pupils adhere to a code of conduct. Policies covering drugs, alcohol, smoking etc are published in the pupils' handbook. Parents are involved in levels of disciplinary issues. For serious offences, suspension may be used; for minor offences, a system of bookings and/or detention is used. Size of school allows staff and prefects to notice and react without always resorting to formal punishment.
Most pupils have own study bedroom; some younger pupils in doubles or small dormitories. Single-sex houses of 50-60. Qualified sanatorium sisters. Central dining room. Overnight exeats in autumn and spring terms plus half-term. Visits to Musselburgh and Edinburgh allowed according to age at specific times.
Jim Clark (motor racing); Alistair Darling MP; Norman Lamont (ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer); Marcus Brook (Data Discoveries); Lord Laing (United Biscuits); Sir Denis Forman (Granada TV); Sandy Carmichael (Scotland XV - 50 caps); Andrew Marr (BBC).
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