Applying for your visa for UK boarding school
FAQs & Resources, School Admissions, Students
Congratulations on securing your place at a UK boarding school! You’re probably curious about what comes next. Before you start your term or even come
Academic Families works with more than 450 schools throughout the UK, and we have become experts at matching children to the right boarding school for them in order to ensure each student thrives.
We're delighted to present one of our partner schools:
Loretto Senior and Prep School in Scotland.
Loretto offers more than an education. Every young person is known, nurtured and supported to achieve their full potential.
At Loretto School, teachers focus on each individual pupil and help them realise their full potential. Although located in Scotland, Loretto offers the English curriculum of GCSE and A Level qualifications. Pupils consistently achieve strong results and, this year, 100% of pupils progressed to their destination of choice, whether that was a leading university including Cambridge, St Andrews, Edinburgh and Durham, a career in professional sport or a gap year programme. An increasing number of pupils also choose to study in the United States and Loretto is an SAT test centre.
Loretto offers a broad academic curriculum, combining core subjects with a wide range of subject choices, allowing pupils to pursue their individual interests and strengths. With a staff-to-pupil ratio of 1:9 at A Level, teachers know pupils as individuals and tailor learning. Small class sizes and strong pastoral care help create an environment in which pupils can flourish academically and personally.
Sport is an integral part of life at Loretto, helping pupils develop confidence, resilience, leadership and a lifelong love of being active. Pupils benefit from a broad sporting programme, with opportunities to participate and compete at every level. Major sports include Hockey, Netball, Tennis and Cricket for girls, and Rugby, Hockey and Cricket for boys, alongside a wide range of additional sporting activities.
Loretto is particularly renowned for Golf. The Loretto Golf Academy, established in 2002, provides expert coaching and year-round training through outstanding indoor and outdoor facilities, with the academy benefiting from its location next door to the world's oldest playing Golf course.
Alongside sport, Loretto offers a vibrant creative and performing arts programme that encourages pupils to explore and develop their talents. Opportunities span music, drama, dance and art, with pupils regularly performing in concerts, productions, exhibitions and whole-school events. Loretto has an especially strong reputation for music, with opportunities available from the Early Years through to Sixth Form. Pupils can participate in a wide range of choirs, bands and ensembles, perform regularly, and develop their skills in outstanding facilities that include a dedicated concert hall, chapel, professional recording studio and extensive collection of instruments, including Bösendorfer and Yamaha pianos.
The school's thriving drama and musical theatre programme provides opportunities for pupils to perform in ambitious productions, developing creativity, confidence and teamwork while contributing to the rich cultural life of the school community.
Loretto School has a vibrant international community, welcoming pupils from 28 nationalities. International pupils are fully integrated into school life, studying, boarding and participating alongside their peers from the UK and around the world.
Loretto's English as a Second Language (ESL) department provides tailored support to pupils whose first language is not English, helping them to develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed academically and socially. The School takes pride in creating an inclusive environment where individual cultural and linguistic needs are understood and supported.
Boarding is at the heart of the Loretto experience. Approximately 66% of Senior School pupils are boarders, creating a vibrant and supportive community that extends well beyond the classroom. There are five boarding houses: two for boys, two for girls and one co-educational house. Each house is led by experienced Houseparents and pastoral staff who get to know every pupil as an individual, providing guidance, encouragement and support throughout their time at Loretto.
Boarders benefit from a busy programme of evening and weekend activities, access to the School's wide range of sporting, creative and academic opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging within their house community. For many pupils, the friendships and experiences gained through boarding become some of the most valued aspects of their time at Loretto.
You'll probably have many questions about the exciting times that lie ahead. We are here to reassure you and support your decision to educate your child in the UK.
Message us via Live Chat or request a callback and one of our team members will contact you whenever you prefer.
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