From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Loretto School is an independent school in Scotland, founded in Musselburgh in 1827. In other parts of the UK, in everyday parlance, it is referred to as a public school.

Loretto (which is Scotland's oldest boarding school) became known throughout Britain during the formative and brilliant headmastership of Dr Hely Hutchinson Almond (1862-1903). His strong belief in the development of the individual in the round—in mind, body and spirit—and in the value of "a community living according to the dictates of reason" can still be seen today.

Although Loretto has grown substantially from the 136 pupils under Almond's care a hundred years ago, the same desire for the headmaster to know each individual pupil remains. The value placed on communal activities, such as the daily school gathering (the Headmaster's 'Double') and on communal singing, remains high. Today's Lorettonians benefit from Dr Almond's dislike of constrictive dress (through the absence of a tie for daily dress) and from his enjoyment of the red jacket.

In 1981 girls joined the Sixth form and in 1995 the Third form, so making the school fully co-educational in 1997.

Loretto has different house they are called School house (for day boys), Seton house (for 3rd to 5th form border boys), Holm house (for 3rd to fifth form girls), Balcarres (for 6th form girls), Pinkie and Hope house (lower sixth and upper sixth boys)

The Loretto Golf Academy was established in 2001, and has since attracted many top young golfers around the world. The Golf Academy allows pupils to combine regular golf tuition without affecting their academic studies. One of the Golf Academy's targets is to produce a future Open champion.

On 11 July 2006, Loretto clinched the infamous HMC Foursomes title. After triumphing in the 'Northern' section of the competition, Loretto maintained their unbeaten record in the National Finals with an eventual 2-1 victory over Eton to be crowned British Independent Schools Champions 2006.

Old Lorettonians include the Government minister Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont, the journalist Andrew Marr, champion racing driver Jim Clark, and magazine editor Douglas Bell. See the category "Old Lorettonians".

• Loretto School — the official school website