Holy Rood Catholic Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Groundwell Road, Swindon, SN1 2LUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Holy Rood Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Swindon for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 90 schools in Swindon. It ranks 5th of 64 primary schools in Swindon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 May 2022, report published 30 June 2022

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 4 May 2022

Pupils are proud to attend Holy Rood Catholic Primary School. They flourish in the school's warm and inclusive ethos. Pupils' attitudes reflect the school's well- established values of fairness, compassion and loyalty. They believe that everyone is 'completely welcomed' and treated equally. Pupils enjoy each other's company and build trusting relationships with adults. They feel happy and safe at school. Adults' expectations of pupils' behaviour are consistently high. In lessons, pupils are attentive and work hard. Everyone follows the rules for good conduct around the school. Pupils are considerate and polite to others. Breaktimes are happy and harmonious. Pupils say that bullying is not a concern. They are confident that, if it were to happen, staff would sort it out quickly. Leaders provide strong pastoral care. Pupils know that they can talk to a trusted adult or use the 'worry box' if they have a problem. Pupils have a range of opportunities to develop their interests outside the classroom. For example, leaders have devised the 'Holy Rood 42' programme. This includes extra-curricular sports, singing and team activities. Pupils enjoy taking on leadership responsibilities. They are proud to become librarians, chaplains and mental health ambassadors.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of foundation subjects, subject leaders are not clear about what children learn in early years. This means that children are not building on their prior learning as they enter key stage 1. Leaders should ensure that the knowledge, skills and vocabulary that children learn in early years are communicated to staff and built on successfully in key stage 1.
  • In a few foundation subjects, assessment is not always effective in identifying what pupils know and remember. This means that some pupils do not learn and remember the curriculum well enough. Subject leaders should ensure that assessment is effective across all subjects.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths80%

80%, 18 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths15%

15%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score109

109, 3 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score111

111, 6 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

381 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals14.2%

14.2%, 12.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language84%

84%, 62.4 percentage points above 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 plan2.6%

2.6%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Holy Rood Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
King William Street Church of England Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good52% met the expected standard
Drove Primary School0.4 milesOfsted: Good71% met the expected standard
Lainesmead Primary School and Nursery0.5 milesOfsted: Good35% met the expected standard
Lethbridge Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good75% met the expected standard
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good48% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
HOLY ROOD CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Naomi Fry
Address
Groundwell Road, Swindon, SN1 2LU
Local authority
Swindon
URN
137074

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.