Loretto School is a GCSE / A-Level school in Musselburgh, United Kingdom. Founded in 1827. It serves 500 students for students aged 3–18.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
Semi-rural East Lothian town setting east of Edinburgh, popular with families seeking open space while maintaining easy city access and schools connectivity.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 21 km | ~37 min | EDI — Scottish gateway |
| Manchester | 291 km | ~388 min | MAN — Northern gateway; global connections |
| Birmingham | 397 km | ~526 min | BHX — Midlands gateway |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Means-tested bursaries are available. Contact the school admissions office for details.
Academic Performance
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-School | £3,733 | £11,200 |
| Years 1-3 | £4,850 | £14,550 |
| Years 4-6 | £7,325 | £21,975 |
| Year 7 - Day | £7,678 | £23,034 |
| Year 7 - Flexi Boarding | £10,825 | £32,475 |
| Year 7 - Weekly Boarding | £12,333 | £37,000 |
| Year 7 - Full Boarding | £13,460 | £40,380 |
| Form 2 - Day | £8,190 | £24,570 |
| Form 2 - Flexi Boarding | £10,825 | £32,475 |
| Form 2 - Weekly Boarding | £12,333 | £37,000 |
| Form 2 - Full Boarding | £13,460 | £40,380 |
| Form 3 - Day | £11,115 | £33,345 |
| Form 3 - Flexi Boarding | £13,909 | £41,727 |
| Form 3 - Weekly Boarding | £15,226 | £45,678 |
| Form 3 - Full Boarding | £16,544 | £49,632 |
| Form 4-Upper Sixth - Day | £11,274 | £33,822 |
| Form 4-Upper Sixth - Flexi Boarding | £13,909 | £41,727 |
| Form 4-Upper Sixth - Weekly Boarding | £15,226 | £45,678 |
| Form 4-Upper Sixth - Full Boarding | £16,544 | £49,632 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Assessment Fee | Per year | £100 |
| Acceptance Deposit | Per year | £1,200 |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Merit-based scholarships (7 types)
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
About
Scotland's oldest boarding school, founded in 1827. One of the UK's leading independent boarding and day schools welcoming girls and boys aged 3-18, set on a safe, leafy 85-acre campus near Edinburgh. Ranked in the top 7% nationally for A-levels with 97% of pupils entering their destination university of choice.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
What Makes This School Different
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-School (age 3-5) | — | — | — |
| Year 1 (age 5-6) | Varies by year of entry; typically English, Maths, Reasoning | — | — |
| Year 7 (age 11-12) | English, Maths, Reasoning + interview; can be undertaken remotely for international applicants | — | — |
| Form 2 / Year 9 (age 13-14) | English, Maths, Reasoning + interview; can be undertaken remotely for international applicants | — | — |
| Sixth Form / Upper 6 (age 16-18) | — | — | — |
How to apply
- Complete registration form and return with registration fee, recent school report (where applicable), passport photo page copy, and head-and-shoulders photograph
- Sit assessment (English, Maths, Reasoning) and/or interview, which varies depending on year of entry; international applicants can undertake remotely
- School requests reference from current school with parental permission
- Successful applicants offered place or invited to waiting list; unsuccessful applicants notified
- Parents accept or decline place by stated deadline; acceptance deposit required
- Induction events held for pupils joining at start of new session; welcome packs sent
- Pupil begins at Loretto Junior or Senior School
What you'll need to submit
- Registration form
- Registration fee
- Recent school report (where applicable)
- Copy of passport photo page
- Head-and-shoulders photograph
- Entrance Assessment Fee (£100 per child)
- Acceptance Deposit (£1,200 for UK domicile or full term's fees for non-UK domicile)
Open events
- Open Days held twice yearly (Autumn and early Spring)
- Senior School Open Morning: 26 September
- Junior School Open Afternoon: 2 October
- Individual visits available throughout the academic year (2 hours for Senior School; 1-2 hours for Junior School; includes pupil-led tour and meeting with staff)
- Taster days available once child is registered
Scholarships: Scholarships and Exhibitions available at entry into any Senior School year for new UK and International pupils (minimum 2-year study commitment). Assessments in Academics, Art, Drama, Golf, Music, Piping & Drumming, and Sport. Scholarship provides 10% Day fee discount; Exhibition provides 5% Day fee discount; additional benefits include free 1:1 lessons.
Admissions contact: [email protected] / +44(0)131 653 4455
Process is flexible and personalised; no specific registration deadlines or assessment dates published — vary by year of entry. School emphasises direct contact with admissions team. Scholarship application deadline for 2026-2027 was October 2026 (now closed). International students receive additional IELTS support. Taster days and Teams calls available for distant/overseas families.
Why Families Choose
- Industry-leading Golf Academy with indoor and outdoor centres
- 97% university placement rate (Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Durham)
- Ranked top 7% nationally for A-level results
- Scotland's oldest boarding school
- Five-house boarding system with excellent pastoral care
University Destinations
97% of Loretto School graduates go on to higher education. Recent graduates have been accepted at universities including:
Boarding Life
Boarders have all they need to feel at home with excellent pastoral care and a safe, leafy, 85-acre rural campus
Day Boarding, Flexi Boarding, Full Boarding, and Weekly Boarding available for ages 11-18. Boarders reside in five Houses with excellent pastoral care.
Student Life
Five Houses system for boarders
Facilities & Programmes
Student Demographics
School Background
Independent