Our School - Loretto School

One of the UK’s leading boarding and day schools, Loretto offers a holistic education to boys and girls aged 3-18 just outside Scotland’s capital city.

Situated to the east of Edinburgh, the leafy 85-acre campus is home to around 450 pupils and combines history and tradition with exceptional opportunities for the modern world.

Through our diverse yet rigorous curriculum, extensive range of co-curricular activities, and dedicated team of staff, Loretto supports pupils to realise their full potential as they progress through the school, resulting in 98% of school leavers going on to their destination of choice.

We provide exceptional opportunities throughout classrooms, concert halls, theatres, sports pitches and beyond. Our small school size ensures that every child is treated as an individual and their unique talents recognised, fostered and encouraged.

Lorettonians enjoy comprehensive academic, pastoral and sporting facilities, including our world-class Golf Academy, which attracts global talent due to its three, full-time PGA professional golf coaches, exceptional facilities and US College programme. 

Our Ethos & Traditions

Loretto’s motto is Spartam nactus es, hanc exorna (“You were born with talents, nurture them”). We know that every child has talents, and we are here to find and develop them.

Our emphasis on the development of the whole person, in mind, body and spirit – a ground-breaking educational philosophy introduced by our most famous Head, Hely Hutchinson Almond – enables us to do so.

At Loretto, we are committed to supporting your child to create their exceptional life, whatever that means for them. As Scotland’s oldest boarding school, we deliver a rounded education in all of the ways you might expect – through our diverse curriculum, expansive extracurricular programme and outstanding facilities.

But we do not solely seek academic excellence. At Loretto, every child is known and nurtured and enabling each individual to find both the inspiration and the encouragement they need to discover and hone their unique talents and passions.

What sets Loretto apart is our close-knit community. Loretto is where relationships between staff, pupils and parents flourish, where our size means that every child can genuinely be known and nurtured and where your child will find both the inspiration and the encouragement they need to discover and hone their unique talents and passions. Loretto is where your child will lead a rich, varied and happy life, both at school and beyond.

As our alumni attest, we develop well-rounded, confident and compassionate young people who are successful in a whole range of interests and professions.

Old Lorettonians

We are in the business of creating exceptional lives. Pupils are supported, guided and encouraged to be the best they can be both during and beyond their time at Loretto.

Our Lorettonian Society is a vibrant community, founded in 1947 to help former pupils of Loretto remain in touch with each other and with the School. Every Old Lorettonian (OL) is invited to join and virtually all do. In this way, the Society has been hugely successful in fostering a lasting and personal interest in the School amongst former pupils.

The Society has five regions both within the UK and abroad and at present there are around 4500 members. There are also a number of Honorary Members who have been elected in recognition of their contribution to the life and welfare of the School.

The Lorettonian Society has close links with its associated organisations, the Old Lorettonian Golfing Society, the Fettesian-Lorettonian Club, and the Fet-Lor Youth Club, details of which can be found on the Lorettonian Society website.

The Lorettonian Magazine, which has a large section of Old Lorettonian news and information, is sent every year to all OLs across the world.

The day-to-day work of the Society is carried out by its Membership Coordinator who can be contacted by email at society@loretto.com.

Lorettonians do not conform to any one type, rather individual pupils are encouraged to explore and expand upon their unique gifts, talents and interests. This is reflected in the successful lives and careers of our OL community.

Discover just a few of our OL’s and their exceptional lives.

Major General Simon J.M. Graham CB VR (1984)

Former Director of Reserves at Army Headquarters

Major General Simon Graham, CB VR was appointed the Director of Reserves at Army Headquarters in 2020.

Major General Simon Graham, CB VR was appointed the Director of Reserves at Army Headquarters in 2020. Now retired, Simon was made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) in the New Year’s Honours list 2023 for his contribution to transforming the Army’s Reserve Forces and bringing together the Integrated Review with Reserves Forces 2030.

The British Army Director of Reserves is responsible for ensuring that the Army adopts optimal policies and strategies for developing and employing Reserves, represents the Army strategic view on Reserves both to Defence and externally, is a member of the Army Board and, as the Army’s senior reservist officer, provides the Army Executive Committee with the Army Reserve perspective.

On his time at Loretto, Simon reflects:

“I’m very conscious that my first contact with the Army was whilst at Loretto as part of the CCF. I’m immensely grateful to the CCF staff at the time for providing the opportunity to discover my inner confidence and leadership ability, and the encouragement to consider a career in the Army.

Although invidious to single anyone out, I can’t help but mention Roger Whait. Thank you for the inspiration, Roger!”

Professor Clare Jackson (1990)

Historian, author and broadcaster

Clare is Honorary Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge and Walter Grant Scott Fellow in History at Trinity Hall.

Clare is Honorary Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge and Walter Grant Scott Fellow in History at Trinity Hall. She has a particular interest in the rich and complex history of Tudor, Stuart and Georgian Britain.

She is also the author of the prize-winning book Devil-Land: England under Siege 1588-1688 (2021), and the presenter of The Stuarts and The Stuarts in Exile on BBC2.

Clare reflects fondly on her time at Loretto, especially the theatrical opportunities she was afforded: “When I was at Loretto (1988-90), it was only co-educational for the last two Sixth Form years, which brought unexpected opportunities for the relatively small number of girls. At my previous all-girls’ school, I’d never been involved in drama or school plays, but in my first year at Loretto, I loved playing Maisie Madigan in Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock. The production was brilliantly directed by Mr Geddes, with Vic Galloway – now BBC Scotland music legend! – starring in the lead role. As I recently advised my teenage son, everyone should be involved in a school play at least once in their life!”

William MacGregor (2005)

Radiographer and Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University

William is a Lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging at Glasgow Caledonian University, within the Department of Podiatry and Radiography in the School of Health and Life Sciences.

William is a Lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging at Glasgow Caledonian University, within the Department of Podiatry and Radiography in the School of Health and Life Sciences. He is an experienced student mentor and clinical assessor, preparing student radiographers to become competent and confident clinicians entering the workforce.

William holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology with Psychology (2008), a BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography (2020) and a PgCert in Professional and Higher Education (2023).

His ongoing goal is to create a training programme to transform mentoring across NHS Scotland for Radiographers.

Reflecting on his time at Loretto and the work ethic that was instilled in him, William says:

“The ethos of ‘effort put in’ has always stuck with me, from my tutor Mr James Burnet. Determination and perseverance, even in the face of challenging attainment, pays off in the end. He pushed me to try hard, and I still do.”

Francesca McGhie (2019)

Rugby union player, Scotland and Leicester Tigers

Francesca has firmly cemented her position in Scotland women’s national rugby union team, with the winger starting in almost every match since making her debut in 2023.

Francesca has firmly cemented her position in Scotland women’s national rugby union team, with the winger starting in almost every match since making her debut in 2023. She helped the team win the inaugural WXV2 competition in Cape Town in October 2023 and, in response to her continued success, was nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

In March 2024, a statue of Francesca was unveiled in Edinburgh ahead of her participation in the Women’s Six Nations, to help put women’s rugby in the spotlight.

Francesca also plays professional rugby for Leicester Tigers Women’s team.

Reflecting on her time at Loretto, she says:

“Loretto gave me the most amazing platform to follow my dreams. Loretto is a family to me, with the best memories and great friends. I also worked as a gap student in the Junior School for 18 months and, as a young member of staff, I enjoyed the same level of support and encouragement from the Loretto family as I did when I was a pupil.”

James Sharp

Professional Chef

James Sharp is a professional chef and owner of Hash Hut, a London-based food business serving loaded hash browns.

James Sharp is a professional chef and owner of Hash Hut, a London-based food business serving loaded hash browns. In recent times, he has also collaborated with Head Chef Fabio De Paolis on a limited-time menu at highly acclaimed Hithe + Seek, showcased his passion for seafood with a Chef’s Table menu at The Sea in Hackney, and collaborated with Compass Whisky Box, a whisky company focusing on blends.

In 2023, James competed on MasterChef: The Professionals and performed incredibly well, reaching the final six. Along the way he cooked for food critics Jimi Famurewa, Tom Parker Bowles and Jay Rayner, and cooked in acclaimed kitchens for several industry experts.

On how his time at Loretto set him up for a career in the food industry, James says:

“Believe it or not, Loretto was where I sold my first ever bit of hot food, in the kitchen of our boarding house at morning break. I was in Fifth Form at the time and I decided, with my friend Ian, to step the in-house catering up and buy a George Foreman grill. And so ‘McSharps Grill’ was born!

Every morning break and after our evening study time, we sold steak sandwiches and rolls with bacon. It was a genuine pleasure, and we even fuelled a few staff along the way!”

Katy Thomson (2008)

Professional Opera Singer – Soprano

Katy began singing as a chorister at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, at the age of eight.

Katy began singing as a chorister at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, at the age of eight. She is a graduate of Durham University and The Royal College of Music – where she was awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal for her outstanding talent and contribution to life at the RCM – and was a Britten Pears Young Artist (2021-2022).

A Garsington Opera Young Artist in 2021, she stepped-in, and made her debut, as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier (“… a graceful, wise and moving Marschallin.” – Neil Fischer) also winning the Garsington Opera Helen Clarke Award. Other recent operatic engagements include English National Opera, Northern Opera Group, Scottish Opera and Iford Opera.

Passionate about contemporary music, Katy is known for her exceptional musicianship and creative curiosity. Her “delicious Soprano” is as in-demand on the concert platform as on the operatic stage in a wide range of repertoire. For more information and to get in touch, visit www.katythomson.co.uk

On her time at Loretto, Katy reflects:

“The opportunities I was given, and the encouragement of the Loretto community, were crucial to my development as a performer. Alongside the choir tours to Spain and Italy (where I got to sing a Puccini aria in Puccini’s home theatre!), I got to feature as Josephine in a production of HMS Pinafore and even made a CD, copies of which I sold to fund my gap year in London.

It was the holistic approach to music making that has really stayed with me. The experience of playing cello in School musicals, preparing for my Grade 8 piano and taking part in SongFest … each thread added a layer to the rich tapestry of my musical education. It all helped me build a toolkit for resilience, and to help me stay focused and thrive under pressure.”

If you’re interested in a Loretto education for your child, please visit our Admissions page, or download our school prospectus here.