Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 January 2026

Pupils enjoy coming to school. Leaders ensure that pupils are safe and receive the care and support they need to feel settled and ready to learn. They create an environment where pupils feel valued and confident to ask for help when they need it. Pupils with disadvantages or vulnerabilities are well looked after through the school's pastoral support. Over time, the curriculum and teaching have been less than secure. This has meant that some pupils have not learned as well as they should and have not achieved the outcomes they were capable of. Leaders know this and have taken action to improve the curriculum. There are still some inconsistencies in teaching. Some older pupils have gaps in their learning because these improvements are recent. In early years, the curriculum is a strength and children get off to a positive start. Children build important early knowledge and skills. Leaders place pupils' personal development at the heart of the school's work. The school's approach aligns with its values of kindness, confidence and excellence, which pupils demonstrate in their daily interactions. Pupils learn valuable information and can clearly explain how to keep themselves safe and physically and mentally healthy. They demonstrate how to be responsible citizens in their community. Disadvantaged and more vulnerable pupils benefit considerably from this offer. Pupils show polite manners and speak positively about their school, their peers and their teachers. Pupils' behaviour in class and around the school is calm and orderly. In class, most pupils are engaged well in their learning. Bullying is very rare, but when disagreements occur, pupils know that staff will support them. In terms of their personal development, pupils leave primary school well prepared for secondary school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders and governors need to monitor, challenge and support the curriculum and pupils' achievement with greater rigour and consistency so that improvements lead to rapid progress across the school. • Leaders must ensure that high-quality teaching is delivered consistently across the school so that pupils, particularly older pupils, close gaps in their knowledge quickly. • Leaders should ensure that attendance remains consistently above national expectations for all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and that pupils' behaviour is consistent across all areas of the school.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)