Loreto College, St Albans

Loreto College is a Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form for girls located near the centre of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It achieved Specialist Status in the Humanities in 2005[1] and became an academy in August 2012.

Loreto College
Address
Map
Hatfield Road

, ,
AL1 3RQ

Coordinates51°45′10″N 0°19′46″W / 51.7529°N 0.3295°W / 51.7529; -0.3295
Information
TypeAcademy
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1922
FounderInstitute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Department for Education URN138106 Tables
OfstedReports
ChairMark Healy
Head teacherLucy Thompson
GenderGirls (coeducational Sixth Form)
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1000~
Houses  Truth
  Joy
  Justice
  Freedom
  Sincerity
Colour(s)Navy, maroon and musty yellow
   
Websitehttp://www.loreto.herts.sch.uk/

The college enrolls around 1000 pupils, including 190 in the sixth form, with many pupils coming from a wide geographical area. It expanded to 5 forms of entry (from 4 in previous years) in September 2007.

In 2006, 2009 and 2013, the college was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted, achieving grade one in all categories.[2][3]

History

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Founded by the Loreto Sisters, the college had just seven pupils when it first opened in 1922. The Sisters had bought a building called "The Elms" to use as a convent before opening the school.

Grammar school

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During the Second World War, the gymnasium become an air-raid shelter and makeshift dormitories by night. American soldiers billeted in St Albans used the school's hockey pitch to train.[4]

Comprehensive

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It turned comprehensive in 1978.[5]

New Headteacher

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Mrs Marie Lynch, after 22 years as headteacher, retired in March and new headteacher Mrs Lucy Thompson took over after the Easter Holidays in April.

Notable former pupils

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References

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  1. ^ Loreto School Specialist Status Page
  2. ^ Loreto Ofsted Report
  3. ^ "Loreto College - Inspection Report". Ofsted. 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014.
  4. ^ "The history behind Loreto College, St Albans". hertsmemories.org.uk.
  5. ^ History of Loreto College
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