Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy

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

Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick, Coalville, LE67 5ATOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy is a primary school in Coalville for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 324 schools in Leicestershire. It ranks 5th of 17 primary schools in Coalville. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 May 2023, report published 6 July 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 16 May 2023

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve well, especially the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). There is a clear focus on academic achievement. However, leaders also have a strong vision for how the school develops its pupils beyond the academic curriculum. As one parent typically stated: 'Although academic success is important, I am very happy to send my child to a school that has a more rounded approach.' All staff share leaders' ambitions for success. This is a happy school. Pupils enjoy attending. They get on well together and care for each other. Leaders have established roles, such as the Year 6 school prefects, who look after the younger pupils. They help these pupils to settle during assembly and support them at playtimes. As one prefect said: 'It's like being a mini-teacher.' Pupils behave well. They learn how to regulate their behaviour and be respectful to others. Pupils make sure everyone has someone to play with at playtime. Leaders ensure that pupils make good use of the school's extensive grounds. Staff create opportunities to place learning into context in their forest school. Pupils learn how to keep safe in the countryside and care for the environment.

What the school should improve

  • In a few lessons teachers are not as ambitious as they could be for all pupils. As a consequence, opportunities are lacking to deepen pupils' understanding of what they are learning. Leaders should ensure that the work they have started in this area has its full impact.
  • In a few subjects, subject leaders have not had the opportunity to explore the impact of their intended curriculum. As a consequence, there are some inconsistences in how the curriculum is delivered. Senior leaders should ensure that subject leaders have the time to check that their subjects are consistently delivered and make any necessary improvements.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

23 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths70%

70%, 8 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths4%

4%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

154 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals11.7%

11.7%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language11%

11%, 10.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.6%

13.6%, 1.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan6.5%

6.5%, 0.5 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Whitwick St John The Baptist Church of England Primary School0.2 milesOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard
New Swannington Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good46% met the expected standard
Thringstone Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good42% met the expected standard
Swannington Church of England Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good64% met the expected standard
Broom Leys School1 mileOfsted: Good63% 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 Catherine Murphy
Address
Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick, Coalville, LE67 5AT
Local authority
Leicestershire
URN
138297

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.