Loretto School

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School in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland

title: "Loretto School" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["secondary-schools-in-east-lothian", "primary-schools-in-east-lothian", "boarding-schools-in-east-lothian", "member-schools-of-the-headmasters'-and-headmistresses'-conference", "educational-institutions-established-in-1827", "musselburgh", "1827-establishments-in-scotland", "private-schools-in-east-lothian"] description: "School in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland" topic_path: "society/education" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretto_School" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary School in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox school"]

FieldValue
nameLoretto School
imageLorettologo.png
image_size150px
established
typePublic school
Private School
Boarding school
Day School
head_labelHeadmaster
headPeter Richardson
founderThomas Langhorne
addressLinkfield Road
cityMusselburgh
countyEast Lothian
countryScotland
postcodeEH21 7AF
staff
enrolment
genderco-educational
lower_age3
upper_age18
housesSchool, Pinkie, Hope, Seton, Balcarres, Holm, Eleanora Almond
coloursLanghorne, Tristram, Greenlees, Mackintosh.
publicationThe Lorettonian
alumniOld Lorettonians
website
::

::callout[type=note] the Scottish independent school ::

| name = Loretto School | image = Lorettologo.png | image_size = 150px | caption = | motto = | established = | closed = | type = Public school Private School Boarding school Day School | religious_affiliation = | president = | head_label = Headmaster | head = Peter Richardson | founder = Thomas Langhorne | specialist = | address = Linkfield Road | city = Musselburgh | county = East Lothian | country = Scotland | postcode = EH21 7AF | local_authority = | urn = | ofsted = | staff = | enrolment = | gender = co-educational |lower_age = 3 | upper_age = 18 | houses = School, Pinkie, Hope, Seton, Balcarres, Holm, Eleanora Almond | colours = Langhorne, Tristram, Greenlees, Mackintosh. | publication = The Lorettonian | alumni = Old Lorettonians | free_label_2 = | free_2 = | free_label_3 = | free_3 = | website =

Loretto School, founded in 1827, is a private boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. The campus occupies 85 acre in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland.

History

The school was founded by the Reverend Thomas Langhorne in 1827. Langhorne came from Crosby Ravensworth in Westmorland. He named the school for Loretto House, his then home, which was itself named for a medieval chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, which had formerly stood on the site of the school. The school was later taken over by his son, also named Thomas Langhorne. The last link with the Langhorne family was Thomas' son John, who was a master at Loretto from 1890 to 1897, and later headmaster at John Watson's Institution. Loretto was later under the headmastership of Dr. Hely Hutchinson Almond from 1862 to 1903.

In the 1950s the school increased the accommodation in science laboratories, established arts as a part of the curriculum and introduced the chapel service as part of the daily school life.

The school originally accepted only boys, but in 1981 girls joined the sixth form and in 1995 the third form, so making the school fully co-educational by 1997. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/401_LORETTO.jpg" caption="Loretto school's Pinkie House, built in the [[Scots baronial]] style"] ::

In 2001 the film director Don Boyd published an article in The Observer detailing his systematic sexual abuse by a teacher in the school in the 1960s. The revelation led to further allegations about the teacher from other former pupils and subsequent calls for the teacher's prosecution. The teacher, then 79 years old, was charged, but the case was dropped on the grounds of his ill health. The teacher later died. In 2017, it was announced that the school would be investigated as part of Lady Smith's inquiry into child sexual abuse.

In 2021, Boyd told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry that the late Guy Ray-Hills, a French teacher at Loretto, raped him in 1958 when Boyd was 10 years old. Loretto School admitted to the Inquiry that pupils had been abused by one of its teachers in the 1950s and 1960s. Angus Bell, a former pupil, gave evidence and later sued the school for £1 million for extensive sexual, emotional and physical abuse suffered in the 1990s mostly at the hands of older pupils under the "fagging" system. David Stock, a teacher, also gave evidence and said he informed the Loretto school authorities of the abuse but was targeted, forced to resign and sign a non-disclosure agreement. The Inquiry, which spanned a period from 1945 to 2021, published its findings in April 2023, upon which Loretto offered an unreserved apology and deep regret for abuse experienced by children under its care, at both the junior and senior schools.

In 2010 the school was sued by an employee for sex discrimination: the employee felt she had been treated unfavourably following the announcement of her pregnancy. Judge Stewart Watt rejected the sexual discrimination claim asserting that 'there appears to have been no ulterior motive to make [the employee] redundant during the review of the department; the only motive was to try to better organise the school', but he stated that the school had breached maternity regulations. The claimant was awarded £8,000 for loss of earnings and emotional stress.

In 2013, Loretto School was informed by the Scottish Charity Regulator that it did not qualify for charitable status for failing to provide sufficient public benefit. Subsequently, the school modified its means-tested bursary provision and has remained a registered charity ever since.

Former Scotland rugby captain Jason White took his first steps into teaching with a role at the school in September 2017. In the same month it was announced that Jacob Slater, 15, a pupil at the school, would appear in the American-Scottish historical action drama Outlaw King about Robert the Bruce and the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Jamie Parker, former Loretto School pupil and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art student, was named Best Actor at the Olivier Awards in April 2017 for his performance as Harry Potter.

In September 2018, the employment of a teacher at the school, who had been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards students, was terminated.

Loretto School was listed as the fourth-highest Scottish independent school in the 2018 A level league tables.

Facilities

Loretto School is set in an 85 acre campus and is made up of two parts: the Junior School ("The Nippers") for children aged 3–12, and the Senior School for those aged 12–18.

Loretto Golf Academy

The Loretto Golf Academy, established in 2002, offers golf to over 250 pupils using the local links courses and the School's new Indoor Golf Performance Centre.

Heads of School

  • 1825–1862 Langhorne family (Thomas, Thomas II, John)
  • 1862–1903 Hely Hutchinson Almond
  • 1903–1908 Henry Barrington Tristram
  • 1908–1926 Allan Ramsey Smith
  • 1926–1945 Dr James Robertson Campbell Greenlees
  • 1945–1960 David Forbes Mackintosh
  • 1960–1976 Rab Brougham Bruce Lockhart
  • 1976–1984 David Bruce McMurray
  • 1984–1995 The Rev. Norman Walker Drummond
  • 1995–2000 Keith Joseph Budge
  • 2001–2008 Michael Barclay Mavor
  • 2008–2013 Peter A. Hogan
  • 2013–2014 Elaine Logan (Acting Head)
  • 2014–2024 Dr Graham Hawley
  • 2024–present Peter Richardson

Notable alumni

Notable Old Lorettonians include:

Motto

The motto of the school, Spartam nactus es, hanc exorna, means literally "You have obtained Sparta: embellish it". The Latin is a mistranslation by Erasmus of a line from a Greek play, Telephus by Euripides. The words have been interpreted as meaning "You were born with talents: develop them" or "Develop whatever talents you have inherited".

In the late 18th century, the words were quoted by Edmund Burke in his pamphlet, Reflections on the Revolution in France:

References

Sources

Gallery

File:Pinkie01.jpg|Pinkie House File:Loretto Balcarres.jpg|Balcarres House and Holm House File:Loretto Millhill.jpg|Millhill entrance at Loretto

References

  1. "Loretto School". Scottish Council of Independent Schools.
  2. "Welcome to Loretto School". Lorettoschool.co.uk.
  3. The Langhorne Memorial, The Levite, Vol IV, No.7 (Spring 1927)
  4. John Langhorne's grandfather (also John Langhorne, master of Giggleswick school) was the cousin and neighbour of Thomas Langhorne senior. See Crosby Ravensworth archives
  5. Eunson, John. (2012). "Sporting Scots: How Scotland Brought Sport to the World–and the World Wouldn't Let Us Win". Black & White Publishing.
  6. Stewart, Frank. (1993). "Loretto One-Fifty". William Blackwood.
  7. (29 June 1994). "Loretto School to go fully co-educational". [[The Herald (Glasgow).
  8. Don Boyd. (19 August 2001). "Don Boyd: A suitable boy". The Guardian.
  9. (25 August 2010). "Sexually abused during his time at Loretto School, Don Boyd returns to Edinburgh and launches a book incorporating his abuse". The Scotsman.
  10. (26 August 2001). "UK news in brief". The Guardian.
  11. (9 March 2006). "Ex-Teacher Charged With Sexual Encounter With Pupil – Education News". redOrbit.
  12. James McKillop and Graeme Smith. (25 August 2001). "'I am in total shock. It feels as if I am being hung, drawn, and quartered'. Retired teacher hit by abuse allegations shuts door to Herald inquiries.". The Herald.
  13. "Famous Scottish boarding schools named in child abuse inquiry". The Telegraph.
  14. Cowan, David. (4 May 2021). "Film director compares school abuser to Harvey Weinstein". BBC News.
  15. Neil, Mackay. (2023-11-19). "'I was a child in a madhouse of sexual abuse': Ex-Loretto pupil sues for £1 million".
  16. Leask, David. (2023-11-22). "Scottish boarding school was 'madhouse of violence', says ex-pupil". [[The Times]].
  17. (19 April 2023). "Loretto pupils suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse". Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
  18. (9 July 2010). "Loretto staff member wins £8,000 for sex discrimination". The Scotsman.
  19. (3 October 2013). "Loretto School fail charity status test". [[BBC News]].
  20. (19 April 2018). "Loretto School Ltd, SC013978, Charity Details from The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)".
  21. Heatly, Gary. (27 September 2017). "Ex-Scotland captain Jason White joins Loretto School". [[The Scotsman]].
  22. (9 September 2017). "Musselburgh's Loretto School pupil Jacob Slater to star in major new Netflix drama Outlaw King about Robert the Bruce". East Lothian Courier.
  23. (10 April 2017). "Former Musselburgh pupil Jamie Parker's portrayal of Harry Potter wins him Best Actor at Olivier Awards". East Lothian Courier.
  24. (13 September 2018). "Loretto School teacher suspended over 'inappropriate behaviour". [[Edinburgh Evening News]].
  25. (5 October 2018). "School's head of drama sacked following 'disturbing' allegations". East Lothian Courier.
  26. (28 August 2018). "Best independent schools in 2018: Full league table for A-Level results". The Telegraph.
  27. (2018). "Loretto School Campus Map".
  28. (28 April 2012). "current capacity of 50 young golfers, places in Loretto's Golf Academy are keenly prized". Lothian News.
  29. "Michael Mavor". The Telegraph.
  30. (1975). "Obituaries from The Times". Newspaper Archive Developments.
  31. [http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U205401 ASHER, Sir Augustus Gordon Grant], ''Who Was Who'', A & C Black, 1920–2016 (online edition, Oxford University Press, 2014)
  32. "George Bertram Cockburn". Early Aviators.
  33. (1949). "The Loretto Register, 1825 to 1948". [[Thomas Constable (printer and publisher).
  34. Eccleshall, Robert. (1990). "English Conservatism Since the Restoration: An Introduction and Anthology". Routledge.
  35. (28 February 2015). "Sandy Carmichael: Still in love with rugby at 71". The Scotsman.
  36. (1932). "Charles Walker Cathcart". Edinburgh Medical Journal.
  37. (23 July 2017). "Trust me, your gas bill's not a rip-off". The Times.
  38. (29 November 2013). "You can all relax, Brody is back and taking centre stage in Homeland". London Evening Standard.
  39. (6 April 2018). "When Ayrton Senna {{sic". The Scotsman.
  40. Marshall (1951), pg 246.
  41. (6 October 1998). "Some former pupils show the way". The Herald.
  42. "Air Marshal Sir Patrick Dunn". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation.
  43. (19 May 2021). "Fergus Ewing profile: 'Forthright' SNP veteran was fixture in Scottish Government". Press and Journal.
  44. (20 February 1995). "OBITUARIES : Sir Nicholas Fairbairn". The Independent.
  45. (25 February 2013). "Sir Denis Forman obituary". The Guardian.
  46. (21 December 2006). "Ex-lord advocate Fraser of Carmyllie in alleged flight row". [[The Scotsman]].
  47. "F/O K I Geddes". Battle of Britain London Monument.
  48. (2 July 2010). "Stephen Gilbert: Writer who was lauded by Forster but is best known for a lurid novel about rats". The Independent.
  49. (2004). "Howson, George".
  50. (19 June 2008). "Lord Johnston". The Scotsman.
  51. "Loretto School". Victoria Cross.org.
  52. Venn, John. (2011). "Alumni Cantabrigienses". Cambridge University Press.
  53. Brewerton, David. (12 July 2010). "Lord Laing of Dunphail obituary". The Guardian.
  54. Castle, Stephen. (3 October 1992). "The Crisis: Would the real Norman Lamont please stand up?".
  55. "Hew Lorimer". Gazetteer for Scotland.
  56. "Donald Mackenzie". Loretto Register.
  57. (2007). "Marr, Andrew William Stevenson, (born 31 July 1959), Presenter: Start The Week, Radio 4, since 2002; The Andrew Marr Show (formerly Sunday AM), BBC TV, since 2005". [[Who's Who (UK).
  58. "Loretto School, Musselburgh". Library Thing.
  59. (1986). "Obituary: James Broom Millar". The Times.
  60. ""An Greumach Mhor" ~ Chief of the Clan Graham: James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose". Clan Graham Society.
  61. "Professor Robin Orr".
  62. (10 April 2017). "Former Musselburgh pupil Jamie Parker's portrayal of Harry Potter wins him Best Actor at Olivier Awards". East Lothian Courier.
  63. Foster, Joseph. (1893). "Oxford Men and Their Colleges". James Parker & Co.
  64. Rifkind, Hugo. (9 December 2009). "Shared Opinion: Climate change has become a proxy subject for people who just want to sound off". [[The Spectator]].
  65. (1 November 2020). "Calum Semple: a virologist and a piper". Bagpipe News.
  66. Warsop, Keith. (2004). "The Early FA Cup Finals and the Southern Amateurs". SoccerData.
  67. "Rob Strachan, Mill of Strachan, Aberdeenshire - Commander of the Honourable Clan Strachan". Clan Strachan.
  68. "HM Chief Inspector of Prisons – David Strang QPM BSc MSc". HM Inspector of Prisons.
  69. (13 June 1983). "Top Class Art". The Glasgow Herald.
  70. "School Motto".
  71. Edmund Burke, "Reflections on the Revolution in France" in ''The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke'' Vol. V (London: C. & J. Rivington, 1826), [https://books.google.com/books?id=kN8pAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA285 pp. 284–285]

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secondary-schools-in-east-lothianprimary-schools-in-east-lothianboarding-schools-in-east-lothianmember-schools-of-the-headmasters'-and-headmistresses'-conferenceeducational-institutions-established-in-1827musselburgh1827-establishments-in-scotlandprivate-schools-in-east-lothian