Innovative teaching methods, Scottish culture, and a warm, close-knit community shape everyday life at Loretto. The school is also recognised as the best golf boarding school in the UK.
Just outside the beautiful Scottish capital of Edinburgh, Loretto School sits on an 85-acre green campus. Housed in stunning historic buildings, it made our eyes light up the moment we arrived. Loretto is the oldest and one of the finest boarding schools in Scotland. With only around 370 pupils, it is small but perfectly formed, and we were charmed by its down-to-earth and family-like atmosphere.
All of the students we have placed at Loretto have been absolutely delighted there! Sporty and creative pupils alike will find a wonderful home here. And it’s not just about golf — the school also boasts its own dance studio and stages numerous theatre productions, all wrapped in authentic Scottish charm.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age of students: 13–18
Total number of students: 350
Boarding students: 50%
International students: 20%
Students in the Sixth Form: 140
Average class size: 1:12
Boarding fees for senior school per term: £16,544
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: golf, dance, tennis, swimming, judo, sailing, shooting, Scottish Highland dance
Nearest airports: Glasgow (70 minutes), Edinburgh (30 minutes)
https://www.loretto.com/
Key Strengths at a Glance
World-class golf academy
Close to the beautiful city of Edinburgh
Own dance studio and theatre
Small, down-to-earth school
Loretto School – Photo Highlights
Loretto School in Detail
Sport
Every ambitious golfer knows about Loretto’s famous Golf Academy. Talented players from around the world come here to improve their game on the school’s own course and in the state-of-the-art indoor centre — the first of its kind in the UK, featuring video analysis, driving range, and Trackman technology. But it’s not just golf: all other sports facilities are equally modern, and top-level athletes across many disciplines receive tailored coaching. Loretto is proud of its excellent judo and rugby teams, while tennis is also a major sport. There are also facilities and training for hockey, badminton, swimming, fitness, climbing, and cricket. And to honour Scottish traditions, students can even take lessons in Scottish Highland Dance.
Creative Arts
Dance is particularly popular at Loretto, with a dedicated studio where students can learn ballet, hip-hop, and Highland dance. The school orchestra, bands, and several choirs all perform in a modern concert hall and recording studio, offering many ways to explore musical interests. Budding artists can express themselves in the art studio, and students with a passion for drama will feel right at home — the performing arts are actively encouraged, with over 50 music and theatre performances every year in the high-tech school theatre.
Academic
Loretto combines strong academic standards with excellent pastoral care. Pupils study for GCSEs and A-levels, with a broad curriculum that includes French, Spanish, German, Greek, and Latin, as well as psychology, politics and government, advanced maths, and all the sciences. Dedicated personal tutors not only look after each student’s well-being but also produce subject-specific reports to track progress. This blend of traditional and innovative teaching methods leads to success: 93% of graduates go on to secure a place at their chosen university.
Leisure & Culture
Regular trips — to Edinburgh’s opera, for example, or Sixth Form expeditions to Iceland — are just part of the wide range of activities Loretto students can enjoy. Beyond dance and theatre, there are also outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, climbing, and wild swimming. We particularly loved that Loretto even has its own school radio station. Students can also go mountaineering, kayaking, or explore the natural surroundings. And of course, Scottish culture is celebrated throughout the year, with traditional holidays, dances, and folklore woven into school life.
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
We can completely understand why some parents say they’d happily visit their child at Loretto every single day — the magical charm of this beautiful setting just outside Edinburgh is irresistible. Our visit was simply wonderful: the warm welcome from everyone we met, the impressive facilities, and the heartfelt conversation we had with the Headmaster and his wife made a lasting impression. They spoke with great affection about the school and its pupils, saying that every child here is part of the family. We were especially touched to hear that their own son preferred to spend his time in the boarding house rather than at home — surely a telling sign of how happy the students are here.
Our Meeting with Loretto School
This is Loretto
Loretto School Fees
The fees at Loretto School are £16,544 per term, or £49,632 per academic year.
What our clients say about us
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Conclusion Loretto School
Loretto School is a very sporty boarding school with a beautiful campus and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.
It is, of course, not the only school in the UK to offer excellent sports and creative opportunities. We warmly encourage you to explore further British boarding schools with us — we know them well and can provide honest, insightful guidance based on years of experience and close connections.
We’re confident we can find the right school for your child.
Why Choose Us?
- First-hand insights — we’ve placed many happy students at Loretto who would be glad to share their experiences
- Support with the visa process
- Detailed knowledge — we’ve been there and are happy to share more details with you!
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
