Lathallan Junior School and Senior School provides education for children between the ages of 5 to 18 years. Awarded Small Independent School of the Year 2021.
At Lathallan, 194 pupils are immersed in a nurturing environment and exposed to unrivalled outdoor learning opportunities.
We have an unwavering commitment to empower, inspire and motivate our pupils to see be curious about their futures. Our pupils become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
We offer a varied curriculum and make full use of the school’s unique coastal location and expansive 60 acre grounds.
Inspiring Teachers
Our teachers go the extra mile to discover how Lathallan pupils learn best, what ignites their inner flame and what motivates them to ensure that their school experience is an enjoyable and productive one.
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC)
We strive to give our pupils a breadth of opportunity with a learning environment that goes beyond the classroom. This encompasses all learners, every week and all year round. It is something that we are fully committed to at Lathallan and we integrate this ethos throughout our curriculum.
At school, our teachers use the outdoors to enhance their teaching as much as possible. Pupils learn in the fresh air, immersed in nature, helping them to connect with others, themselves and the environment.
To enrich each stage of learning, pupils take part in offsite visits to museums, theatres, heritage sites and local businesses. By committing to teaching both inside and outside the classroom, our pupils understand that learning occurs everywhere, at all times.
Lathallan is the only all-through school in Scotland to achieve the Gold Learning Outside of the Classroom Quality Mark.
Small class sizes
Lathallan’s class size average is 12 so our teachers can offer tailored support to meet the pastoral, vocational and academic needs of each child. The impact is reflected in our positive academic results year-on-year.
If your child is willing to work hard, then the teachers at Lathallan will do everything they possibly can to help them achieve things.” Lathallan Parent
Community
At Lathallan, each pupil has a form tutor and every child that joins Lathallan, belongs to a House; a community within a community. There are three Junior School Houses (Livingston, Nelson and Scott) and three Senior School Houses (Aberdeen, Montrose and Stonehaven).
There are a variety of House competitions throughout the year which sparks a friendly rivalry and at the end of the year a House Cup is presented to the House with the most points.
Pastoral care
We pride ourselves on the quality of our pastoral care. We know that happy pupils are successful learners and we go to great lengths to ensure your child feels connected, safe and supported every step of the way.
Our Peer Mentors offer a listening ear, advice and guidance to fellow Lathallan pupils whilst acting as positive role models around school and beyond.
The Arts
Lathallan is a place where pupils can put their creativity and imagination to work, using a range of media and technology to understand, appreciate and respond to the world around them.
Our annual school productions see every pupil from J1 to S6 taking to the stage.
Many pupils take LAMDA drama classes that lead to exams set by the London Academy of music and Dramatic Art. From those that seize this opportunity, we see a dramatic difference in all aspects of their communication and performances skills!
Individual music lessons are available in school and are provided by expert teachers. Around half of our pupils take regular music lessons in piano, violin, guitar, clarinet, vocals, double bass, cello, pipes and drums.
2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Lathallan School Pipe band. Quite a feat given we’re a small school.
Sports
From individual pursuits such as tennis, cycling, swimming, golf and triathlon to team sports including netball, cricket and rugby, Lathallan has a wealth of sporting brilliance.
Our U16 ruby squad reached the national Quaich Quarter-Final in 2020.
Our netball team reached their fifth national final in three years – having won the previous four – only for it to be cancelled during lockdown.
“The number of Lathallan pupils performing at a high level in sport and representing their country is mind-boggling so the school is clearly doing something right” Zoey Clark, British 400m sprinter
Personal Development and Trips
We encourage all of our students to try new activities, push themselves and embrace all of the opportunities that are served up at Lathallan.
A varied programme of trips and overseas excursions provides our pupils with valuable opportunities to broaden their horizons, develop cultural understanding, and enhance their global outlook.
In 2022/23 trips included:
- Wales – a six-day trip for rock-climbing, surfing, coasteering and camping.
- Salzburg – 33 pupils from S1-S6 took to the Austrian piste for a week of snow sports.
- Munich – tied in with studies of the Cold War and Germany. Pupils also had the opportunity to practice their language skills and experience the famous Christmas markets.
- South Africa – Lathallan has been supporting Vuyani Safe Haven for over a decade. Pupils also visited Asante Sana Game Reserve to support conservation projects.
State-of-the-art Science Centre
Our state-of-the-art Science Centre incorporates laboratories for all three sciences and a working greenhouse laboratory for environmental science. Pupils are successfully securing places at top universities to further their careers in STEM subjects
In 2021 Lathallan had a 96% pass rate at Advanced Higher with 72% of pupils achieving As. There was a 97% pass rate at Higher level with 88% of pupils achieving As/Bs.