Loretto visit to Hong Kong 24 - 27 October. Loretto's new Headmaster, Mr Peter Hogan, will be in Hong Kong to meet parents, pupils, former pupils and prospective parents. Please contact Fiona Gordon, fgordan@loretto.com for further details.
Overseas pupils
Loretto welcomes pupils from around the world who bring with them a diverse range of cultures which enhance the overall culture of the School. Loretto's non-demoninational status provides a relaxed environment allowing pupils from different cultures to fit in easily and mix freely. Overseas pupils with specific cultural needs are catered for in the most appropriate and sensitive way.
Pupils can board from age 8 years although most boarders join the School from age 10. We have an intake each year of international students joining our Sixth Form and smaller volumes joining at all ages further down the School. Current international pupils are from Spain, France, China, Hong Kong, Germany, and USA to name but a few. Loretto currently has pupils from 16 different countries, ranging over four continents. Overseas pupils (not including expatriates) make up approximately 15% of the total Senior School roll. Typically about 70% of the Senior School board.
International pupil essays on boarding in the UK:
Essay 1: Why I like boarding in the UK
Essay 2: Imagine your parents want you to leave your UK boarding school and return home. How would you persuade them to let you stay?
Essay 3: In what respects has your UK boarding education prepared you to take a positive role in the wider world when you leave school?
Location
Edinburgh and Glasgow airport is within easy reach of the School and there are daily flights to all parts of Europe. London Heathrow and Gatwick, and Amsterdam are both very convenient and provide onward connections to cities all over the world.
The School makes fullest use of its proximity to Edinburgh, enabling pupils to take advantage of the music, drama, museums and art galleries, as well as giving opportunities for sport and leisure. To the east lie the golf courses which provide the fairway for The Loretto Golf Academy and the sea coast for water sport activities.
Campus and Facilities
The campus is set in 80 acres of mature parkland running down to the sea. Facilities range from the historic 14c Pinkie House to modern state-of-the-art facilities. Key ones include: Six high-tech Science laboratories; 4 new Maths classrooms; Theatre; ICT; Library; indoor Sports Hall and Swimming pool; Astro turf; Music centre including state-of-the art Recording studio; Concert hall; large Art department with photography studio, ceramics and textile studio; outstanding Chapel; 5 boarding houses; on-site Golf Academy; shooting range and acres of playing fields.
Boarding Facilities
Loretto has recently made significant investments in refurbishing boarding houses. The Sixth Form boys are based in the newly refurbished Hope House, which has 50 single study bedrooms plus common room facilities, and in Pinkie with its further 21 studies, large comfortable games room, common room and the Pinkie Library. The Sixth Form girls' house, Balcarres, has its own secluded campus, next to the junior girls' house. The Lower Sixth girls have double rooms, the Upper Sixth have single study bedrooms and there are three common rooms. Younger children also enjoy very pleasant boarding facilities based in the junior boarding houses. All houses have large recreational rooms, including games, TVs and music systems. House staff provide a family atmosphere with a very high level of pastoral care for all the children.
Learning English
We want all international students, for whom English is not their first language, to become fluent in English as fast as possible to boost their confidence and help them with their studies. Most are prepared for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This is studied intensively over one year in four lessons per week in classes of only 3 to 5 students, instead of over two years which is more common elsewhere. This faster, more focused approach works well and frees students up to concentrate on their A-Levels in their final year, and usually equips them with high enough scores for entry into the best British universities.
Academic Results and Further Education
Loretto focuses on preparing its students for A-Levels. The courses run for two years with results from AS and A2 examinations being combined to produce the final A-level grades.
Recent A-Level results have been the best in the School's history: just over 50% of students in 2007 achieved grade A. Virtually all children go on to their preferred choice of university for their higher education with roughly half going to English or Scottish universities including Oxford and Cambridge and a few receive golf scholarships to study in the USA. Although it changes from year to year some of the most popular subjects studied at university in recent years include: Engineering, Medicine, Arts, Science and Mathematics, Business Studies and Arts.
Central to Loretto's academic strength is our small class sizes and the individual attention given to students. The objective is to keep A-Level classes to a maximum of 10 to 15 students, and keep the staff to student ratio low (currently about 7.5 to 1 in the Sixth Form).
Loretto provides monthly student assessments, runs a policy of continuous assessment and provides daily contact with tutors. There is an Oxbridge support system for bright students who want to go on to Oxford or Cambridge, as well as a directed reading programme. A strong support programme is in place for ESL and learning difficulties, and any students providing concern are identified and referred quickly.
Helping students select and gain a place at their preferred university is one of the main focuses of careers advice. In the Upper Sixth year, individual assistance is given with UCAS preparation, interview techniques and CV writing. Each student has meetings with the Higher Education Adviser to discuss courses and their personal statements for university applications. Those considering Oxbridge entrance receive a tailored support package.
Extra-curricular Activities
The School stages more than 50 Expressive Arts productions a year with Music, Drama and Art being very popular. More than 60% of pupils play musical instruments, and many go on music tours and participate in national music competitions.
Daily sport and optional activities, from dancing and squash to the pipe band and skiing, are very much part of the broad, varied curriculum. The Sixth Form programme covers a wide range of life skills, including leadership development through the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme (See our Sixth Form brochure for full details of Loretto's Sixth Form experience).
Guardianship
Overseas pupils are asked to have a guardian in the UK with whom they can spend overnight leave, half-term and if necessary, longer holidays as the boarding houses close during all vacations. Guardians are welcome to attend parents' evenings and School functions and we encourage them to take on the role of the absent parent. The School's Overseas Coordinator can recommend Guardian Agencies for families who have no friends or relations in the UK.
Fees
Overseas pupils pay the same school fee as UK based pupils for full board and academic tuition. Should pupils require English as a Second Language lessons will be provided at an additional cost. Tuition fees charged are dependent on the hours needed and on the number of students taught together.
Once you have received an offer of a place at Loretto, you will be asked to return a form stating whether or not you accept it - at this point you have signed a legal binding contract with the School. You will also be requested to send an acceptance deposit (Overseas Pupils £1000 from September 2008). This deposit will be refunded to you when your child leaves school. Follow this link for Fees for 2008/9
Curriculum
Each pupil studies a course individually tailored to their level of English and their curriculum needs. The student's course has the flexibility to be adjusted according to his/her language development. All ESL (English as a Second Language) study programmes aim to enhance the pupil's reading skills through a programme of graded readers as well as lessons concentrating on skills such as scanning and skimming. Writing skills are developed through an academic writing course as well as project work each term.
Year 9 and Year 10 (13 - 14 years) pupils will follow Cambridge English for Schools; English for Science; Writing skills course; Project work; Listening and Speaking programmes
Year 11 (15 years) will follow a course specifically designed to prepare them for GCSE examinations and higher level studies. Pupils may be entered for Cambridge First Certificate in English at their request.
Year 12 (16 years) pupils will generally work towards and are entered for IELTS (International English Language Testing System), an internationally recognised qualification, in which a grade of 6 or above is required for University entrance in Britain.
Entrance Procedure
Choosing the right school for your child is an extremely important decision and we strongly advise that you request our prospectus pack and visit Loretto School so that you meet staff and pupils and see the facilities.
Once you have made the decision to apply, the first step would be to complete a registration form and return it to the Admissions Department (admissions@loretto.com).
Overseas pupils can be assessed at Loretto during a visit (the Headmaster would also interview them) or alternatively they can sit assessment papers at their own school or at an examination centre (e.g. British Council office, or Agent's office). All schools are asked to provide a confidential, written reference to support the pupil's application.
Second and Third Form (Year 8 and 9)
Pupils would be asked to sit a written English paper, a spoken English paper (the answers should be video taped) and a Mathematics paper.
Fourth Form (Year 10)
Pupils would be asked to sit a written English paper, a spoken English paper (the answers should be video taped) and a Mathematics paper.
L6th Form (Year 12)
The minimum entry requirement for International pupils joining Lower Sixth Form is the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes. Pupils would be asked to sit a written English paper, a spoken English paper (the answers should be video taped) and two other papers of their choice - i.e. potential A-Level subjects chosen from our Curriculum.
Follow the links for further information:
entrance assessments.
admissions process.
Bursaries and Scholarships at Loretto