Loreto Sixth Form College

Loreto College is committed to enabling you to develop academically, spiritually and personally in your education after high school.

In joining our college in September 2018, you will become part of a long established academic community.Though our buildings and facilities are modern and up-to-date, we have been educating generations of Manchester students since 1851. Not only that, you will become part of a worldwide Loreto community, a member of an international network of schools and colleges spanning the globe. Loreto students join
 a community widely recognised for its excellence. Loreto has 
the rare distinction of being a Queen’s Anniversary Prize winner which the Principal received on behalf of the college at
 Buckingham Palace. Loreto has Beacon and Leading Edge 
Status, is recognised as outstanding in league table positions and year-on-year academic results.

Living and learning at Loreto College is a wonderful experience in itself. It is also an excellent preparation for progression to higher education. The intensive help and thorough guidance that Loreto students receive in the process of application to university and further study is outstanding. Loreto students aspire to and achieve places in the highest seats of learning in the country.

In becoming a Loreto student, you will be joining
 a highly successful, high achieving academic community. Our most recent Ofsted inspection stated that we were: “Outstanding in every respect”. Her Majesty’s Inspectors recognised that: ‘The College is imbued at every level with a culture of high aspirations and expectations’ [Ofsted]. Loreto’s excellence has been recognised in its designation as a National Teaching School by the Department for Education.

As a Loreto student, you will receive outstanding support, whether aspiring to an Oxbridge place or resitting a GCSE course. Our Hall based tutor system provides a solid network of information, advice and guidance at every level ably assisted by our support staff, counsellors and career service.

The Governors at Loreto College have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the work of the Governing Body and the College’s role in the community.The Governing Body has a total of 19 Governors each of whom brings to the Governing Body their own specific expertise and experience. All Governors give their time voluntarily and have always shown a high level of commitment to their colleagues and to the College. The composition of the Governing Body is laid down by the College’s Instrument & Articles of Government. This is a legal document under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 which incorporated the College and establishes the Governing Body as a legal entity and defines what the Governing Body and the College may do.

In legal terms, the Governing Body has a corporate identity separate from its members. This means that responsibility for actions and decisions rests with the Governing Body as a whole and not with individual governors. Governors are expected to show the highest loyalty and to act collectively in the best interest of the College.

Loreto offers a programme for high achievers that prepares students for the distinctive demands of Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) and other “research intensive” Russell Group universities.

The college runs a programme for potential Oxbridge students. The programme develops students’ debating and thinking skills, while providing insight into and knowledge of the application process. It includes presentations from university staff, a competitive university conference and a number of practice interviews.Our in-house team of specialist teachers have years of experience in successfully guiding applicants. Academics from both universities regularly visit Loreto and deliver a range of sessions including subject specific classes and application seminars. They aim to make sure that the students are appropriate for the demands of Oxford and Cambridge and would thrive in the demanding environment.

This year 40% of our supported applicants gained an offer; nationally the rate is approximately 20%. This is a real credit to the students’ ability, hard work and the dedicated support given by Loreto. There are currently 44 students from Loreto holding places at Oxford and Cambridge, studying a wide range of courses from Medicine to Mathematics to Music, from English to Economics to Engineering and from French to Fine Art.

Loreto has been selected by Cambridge University to act as a North West hub for the Cambridge HE+ programme.The Cambridge HE+ programme engages potential applicants in Year 12, by offering stretch and challenge activities outside the specification to prepare them for study at elite universities. The programme includes extension classes at college and in other Cambridge HE+ centres; a Cambridge residential which includes subject specific master classes from university staff, general presentations on applications, interviews and life at the university.

Loreto College is one of only two music hubs nationally. Cambridge University is working with Loreto College to provide support for high achieving Year 12 Music students so that they are better informed about the academic options open to them. The well regarded programme is delivered by Loreto staff with additional workshops from visiting Cambridge academics. A Cambridge residential allows students to experience the extensive musical resources of the university at first hand and meet undergraduates studying music.Students are successful every year in applying for Manchester University’s project which helps the students to develop the skills necessary for Higher Education. A bursary is available for students who succeed in winning a place on the MAP project.