Loughborough Grammar School was founded in 1495 by Thomas Burton, Merchant of the Staple of Calais. The School is part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation, a foundation of four schools comprising: Fairfield Prep School (boys and girls 3–11), Loughborough Grammar School (boys 10–18), Loughborough Amherst School (boys and girls 4–18) and Loughborough High School (girls 11–18). The schools operate under one governing body and are situated on two neighbouring campuses in the town. The Foundation also includes The Loughborough Nursery for children from 6 weeks to 4 years.
There are just under 1,000 boys in the School, including over 60 boarders.
The School moved to its present site of some 27 acres in 1852 and is situated away from the centre of the town in attractive grounds containing the beautiful avenues of trees known as Burton Walks. At its centre is a handsome Victorian College quadrangle. There has been an impressive development programme in recent years – a new Music department was opened in September 2006; a new state-of-the-art Chemistry building in September 2009; a refurbished and extended Biology building in September 2011; a new Physics building in September 2012 and a new Mathematics building and boarding provision in 2013, completing the Science Park.
Admission. Entry to the School is by the school’s own examination at all levels and also by Common Entrance at 13+. Sixth Form entry is dependent on GCSE results and interview with the Headmaster and other senior staff.
Boarding arrangements. Boys are admitted to Denton House at the age of 10 or over; Sixth Form boys are in School House. Termly and Weekly boarding is available.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Day without EAL: £5,300–£5,390, Weekly Boarding: £11,310–£11,400, Full Boarding without EAL: £13,000–£13,090, Full Boarding with EAL: £13,500–£13,590. Music (individual instrumental lessons): £275 (for 10 lessons).
The School offers a 25% boarding fee remission to sons of HM Forces and sons of Clergy.
Scholarships and bursaries. A number of Scholarships are offered, based on performance in the Entrance Examination. Sixth Form scholarships are based on GCSE results. Music Scholarships are also awarded at 11+, 13+ (Common Entrance), and 16+ (Sixth Form). There are also a number of bursaries, dependent on parental income.
Foundation bursaries. School Assisted Places (up to 100% fee remission) are based on financial need and Entrance Examination performance. Such places are means-tested and an application for one requires the completion of a form declaring income and a home visit.
Religious teaching. The School is non-denominational though there is a strong Christian tradition. The Chaplain teaches Religion and Philosophy but is available for boys at any convenient time. On Wednesdays, Boarders attend the School Chapel and, on request, are prepared for Confirmation by the Chaplain.
Curriculum. The aim of the School is to give a broad and balanced general education to GCSE with greater specialisation afterwards. In Year 6, boys follow a curriculum similar to that of their last year of junior school; subjects included are English, Mathematics, French, Art, Sciences, Drama, Design and Technology, Geography, IT, History, Music, PE, RE. In Year 7, all boys study English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, Latin, and Music. Additionally, all boys have lessons in RE, PE, PSHE and Games. In Year 8, Design and Technology is introduced and, in addition to French, boys choose a second language from either German or Spanish. In Year 9 pupils continue with both MFLs, and make some choices from their existing subjects as well as Ancient Greek and Drama.
In Years 10 and 11, for GCSE, boys study English Language and Literature, Mathematics, a modern Foreign Language, and at least two sciences. They also choose three subjects from an extensive options list. Some more able boys study a tenth subject.
The Sixth Form contains 300 boys. A wide range of A Level subjects and combinations is available, along with General Studies, EPQ, Games and other activities. There are some joint teaching lessons with the Girls’ High School.
Learning support is available to pupils with diagnosed Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). We offer targeted support from our experienced and well qualified Learning Support teachers and assistants.
Games. The School has an excellent First XI field and a junior field of over 13 acres within its precinct and within two miles are well-equipped playing fields extending to nearly 70 acres.
The School runs teams in Rugby, Soccer, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics, Tennis, Cross Country, Swimming, Badminton, Fencing and Squash. In addition, there is a Sailing and Canoe Club. The School prides itself in an array of Mind Sports, with teams in Bridge, Chess, Go and Chinese Chess.
Combined Cadet Force. There is an efficient and keen CCF of about 250 boys from Year 10 onwards, run on an optional basis, with 17 Officers, an SSI and a RQMS. Boys have the choice of joining the RAF, Army or Royal Navy Sections. The CCF complex is purpose-built with excellent facilities and many varied and Adventurous Training courses are available to members.
Scouts. There is a flourishing Scout Troop of 35 boys and 1 Scouter.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Over 250 boys are actively involved in the scheme and each year a large number earn Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.
Music (of which much is joint with the Girls’ High School) takes place in our award-winning Music department, which has ‘All-Steinway School’ status, and instrumental ensembles involve all the schools in the Foundation. For boys at LGS, there are 4 Choirs and 26 instrumental ensembles, including 3 Orchestras, 2 Wind Bands, 2 Jazz Bands and nearly twenty smaller instrumental ensembles, which each rehearse weekly. Our top ensembles perform on the national stage regularly, including in the MfY Schools’ Prom at the Royal Albert Hall (2017), and there are annual music tours for instrumental and vocal groups alike: recent tours have taken in Barcelona (2014), Truro (2015), Prague (2016) and Belgium (2017). Our sacred choirs sing services regularly at cathedrals around the UK, having performed in Southwell Minster, as well as Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, Gloucester and Worcester Cathedrals in the past couple of years. We put on a large-scale concert each spring at De Montfort Hall, involving all Year 7 pupils and other choirs performing a choral masterpiece (Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem) with our symphony orchestra.
Drama. The School has a fine Studio/Theatre and all boys in Years 6, 7 and 8 participate in a dramatic production. After that, there are productions for other age groups in conjunction with the Girls’ High School each term.
Careers. Careers advisors are available to inform boys on options for their futures, with special regard to University or Professional careers. The School is a member of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation.
Academic successes. An average of 10 boys per year gain admission to Oxford and Cambridge, and over 98% each year begin degree courses at Universities.
The Loughburians Alumni Association. All former pupils of the Loughborough Schools Foundation have automatic free membership to the alumni association. All enquiries to loughburians@lsf.org. Charitable status. Loughborough Schools Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1081765, and a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England, number 4038033. Registered Office: 3 Burton Walks, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2DU.