Loretto School

About Us

Background:

Loretto’s distinctive ethos and atmosphere are moulded by its unusual history and its willingness to stand by its convictions. The Senior School (13-18) and the Junior School (4-13) have traditionally been deliberately small and virtually entirely boarding. Over recent years, in common with most boarding schools, Loretto has adapted to changing parental demand by going fully co-educational (from 1994 at the Junior School and 1995 in the Senior School) and through admitting a higher proportion of day pupils.

Loretto has always placed great emphasis on each pupil being known individually by fellow pupils and by staff, particularly the Headmaster: the ideal of a school as a family is considered achievable. The distinctive philosophy of Loretto, shaped by the formative early Headmaster, Dr Hely Hutchinson Almond, stressed the importance of full development of mind, body and spirit within a community based on the dictates of reason.

The Senior School:

Loretto Senior School remains primarily a full boarding school, with an increasing number of day and weekly boarding pupils. Our boarding school ethos, facilities and atmosphere allow the development of the whole person to be pursued fully. In the Senior School there are currently 250 pupils living in five Houses (three boys’ Houses and two girls’ Houses).

There is an extensive development programme to extend and improve academic and recreational facilities.

Although Loretto places a great emphasis on the importance of being a member of the School over and above being a member of individual Houses, the House structure remains the basis for pastoral care within the School. In the Senior School each Housemaster or Housemistress (Hm) leads a group of tutors who work with the Hm and the resident assistant Hm in supervising the House and safeguarding the welfare of its pupils.

Teachers at Loretto School are expected to contribute fully to the School’s extensive academic, pastoral, and extra-curricular programmes. The academic, pastoral, and extra-curricular timetable includes teaching on Saturday mornings and weekend and evening duties. All staff act as academic tutors to about eight tutees.


Salary and Conditions of Service:

The School operates its own salary scheme, based on the Scottish Scale but with recognition of the extra duties and responsibilities with which staff are involved in a boarding school.

Staff children’s education: The children of members of staff can be educated at Loretto as day pupils at substantially reduced fees (currently 20% of the day fee). The School also participates in the Scheme for the Education of Children of Teaching Staff.

Pension: All members of staff, except those who opt out in writing, must join the Scottish Public Pensions Authority Superannuation Scheme, which is identical to the equivalent scheme in England and Wales. Previous contributions and rights under the scheme in England and Wales are transferable. Staff contribution is currently 6.0% of salary to this scheme: the School contributes the balance.