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Loreto's origins derive from Mary Ward, our foundress, a sixteenth-century Yorkshire woman who pioneered early experiments in the Christian education of girls.
Loreto, Altrincham, carrying on her traditions, began as a small private school in the Y.W.C.A. quarters in Ashley Road. Four nuns came from Loreto, Manchester, in 1909, at the request of Very Reverend Canon H. Walsh, Parish Priest of St. Vincents Church, Altrincham. Their first small Convent was "Deva Villa" and they moved later to "Hillside" in Bentinck Road. Finally in 1912, they transferred to the present site on Dunham Road.
Having survived a very difficult period when closure was imminent, Loreto continued, and prospered to such an extent that application for recognition by the Ministry of Education was made, and granted in 1921. This status was only accorded to the Preparatory School as the numbers in the senior school did not warrant full status.
For the next 25 years the school expanded gradually. The Gymnasium, Dormitories, a small Science Room and the acquisition of St. Anne's belong to this period. In 1946, as the number of fee-paying pupils had doubled, the school, after a General Inspection by the Ministry of Education, was registered as an Independent Grammar School for girls.
In September of that year only six girls holding County Scholarships were admitted. In September, 1969, we had ninety-four County Scholarship pupils in Form 1 and the school year began with over 800 pupils on the register. Needless to say, such growth necessitated comparable building progammes.
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Growth
The number of students - and the buildings to accommodate them - have grown considerably over time. At present, there are some 1030 girls in the School, including over 260 in the Sixth Form. A full refurbishment of the Science Laboratories and upgrades to the ICT Suites, Dining Room and Music Room are the most recent additions.
Loreto Altrincham began as an Independent school. In 1972, the Preparatory School and Grammar School became separate, each with its own governing body. On 1 April 1997, Loreto Grammar School was awarded Grant Maintained status, and with the ending of Grant Maintained status on 1 April 1999, chose to become a Voluntary Aided school within the Trafford Local Authority. In July 2005 Loreto Grammar School gained specialist status in Science and Mathematics. Looking ahead, 2009 will be our Centenary Year, for which a working group is preparing celebration plans.
