Private Boarding School in Edinburgh, Scotland

Loretto School, Edinburgh:
Loretto School is a small, friendly co-educational boarding and day school for 3 - 18 years olds in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. Set in 85 acres of leafy campus just outside Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, Loretto School provides an all-round education for just over 500 boys and girls - boarders, flexi-boarders and day pupils. Our school is made up of two parts - the Junior School (3-12 years) and the Senior School (aged 12 and over). Pupils can board from age 8, although most boarders join the School from age 10.

Day & Boarding Programmes for Boys & Girls Ages 3-18:
Loretto School's academic aim is to ensure that the minds and intellects of all pupils are stretched and fulfilled, regardless of ability and background. Excellent and varied resources, reflecting both innovative and traditional educational approaches, are supported and enhanced by small classes and firm but friendly relationships between pupils and teachers. We also emphasise the tri-partite foundation of good communications between the school, parents and pupils.

Our priority is to encourage Lorettonians to become independent thinkers, capable of distinguishing truth from fiction, unafraid of intellectual debate and discussion, courteous in their challenge of established views, respectful of the opinions of others and confident of their abilities to meet the challenges of a modern world.

Stage 1: Second and Third Form (Pre-GCSE 12-14)
Subject List: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Personal and Social Health Education, Physics, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish. Most pupils do all the above, except in the choice of Latin instead of a second Modern Language. Overseas pupils may do English as a Second Language in small groups with specialised teachers.

Stage 2: Fourth/Fifth Forms (GCSE 14-16)
GCSE Core Curriculum: English Language and English Literature, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French and Spanish) Biology, Chemistry, Physics and PSHE. GCSE Subject Options: History, Geography, Music and Drama. Pupils do between 8 and 10 GCSEs depending on ability. Programmes of Religious Studies, PE, and ICT are also followed.

Stage 3: GCE - AS
Subject List: Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, English, French, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Physical Education, Spanish, and Theatre Studies. Pupils normally choose 4 or 5 AS subjects.

Stage 4: GCE - A2 (A-level)
Pupils normally complete 3 or 4 A levels for university entrance. IGCSEs, Advanced Extenstion Awards and STEP papers are also studied, particularly in maths and the sciences.

Guidance on Subject Choices
Full guidance on subject choices is offered at each transition between the stages above. In the 6th Form advice is based on strength of interest in the subject, GCSE results, and possible requirements for university degree courses and careers.