Holy Cross Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Stonesby Avenue, Leicester, LE2 6TYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Holy Cross Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy is a primary school in Leicester for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 136 schools in Leicester. It ranks 123rd of 138 primary schools in Leicester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 March 2023, report published 17 May 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 March 2023

Pupils at Holy Cross Catholic School are happy and safe. They are proud of their school. They appreciate the support they receive from the adults in school. One pupil said: 'Everyone here cares for you.' Leaders have worked tirelessly to improve pupils' behaviour. Pupils who keep the 'golden rules' receive stickers to add to their star chart. When they reach the target number of stickers pupils are invited to a 'golden lunch' as a reward. Pupils know that there will be consequences if their behaviour does not live up to leaders' high expectations. They say that if their teachers give them a 'time out', it is fair. Pupils understand what bullying is. They know to 'start telling other people' if they think it is happening to them. Pupils learn about the personal qualities that will help them to be positive members of society. Each Monday morning starts with a 'mission circle' time. Pupils are given a challenge for the week ahead. For example, staff ask pupils to think of ways they make 'sacrifices' for each other. At the end of the week, the school comes together to celebrate pupils who have exemplified this quality in their work and play.

What the school should improve

  • Staff who read with pupils do not routinely check that pupils understand what they have read. As a result, pupils' comprehension and inference skills do not develop as quickly as they could. Leaders should ensure that staff take every opportunity to develop these vital skills as they read with pupils.
  • While the progress that pupils make from key stage 1 to key stage 2 has improved considerably in 2022, outcomes for pupils at all key stages are still not high enough. There is still a significant number of pupils who do not work at the standards expected for their age. Leaders should continue to rigorously monitor and evaluate the impact of the actions they have taken to improve the curriculum in order to ensure that pupils are adequately prepared for the next stage in their education.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

29 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths45%

45%, 17 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score101

101, 5 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

203 pupils on roll, with places for 240

Eligible for free school meals44.8%

44.8%, 18.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language30.5%

30.5%, 8.9 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support36%

36%, 21.2 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.9%

7.9%, 1.9 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Holy Cross Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Fairfield Community Primary School0.5 milesReport card: Expected standard52% met the expected standard
Marriott Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good34% met the expected standard
Eyres Monsell Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good34% met the expected standard
Montrose School0.7 milesOfsted judgements: Good56% met the expected standard
Water Leys Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Karen McVea
Address
Stonesby Avenue, Leicester, LE2 6TY
Local authority
Leicester
URN
146224

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.