The Holy Cross School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 May 2022

This is a welcoming school. Many pupils spoke of the sense of family in the school's community. Staff make sure that pupils are well cared for and safe in a nurturing environment. Students in Year 13 like being part of the 'Big Sisters' programme. They enjoy looking out for younger pupils and helping new pupils to settle in. Pupils are set high standards to achieve. They rise to leaders' expectations and work hard in everything they do. Pupils' attitudes to learning are exemplary. Behaviour in class and around the school is calm. Pupils are polite and friendly. The school's ethos is one of tolerance and respect. Pupils are encouraged to treat everyone equally and to accept people's differences. Staff are quick to deal with any bullying. However, some pupils feel that staff do not resolve issues between friendship groups consistently well. Pupils attend extra-curricular activities at lunchtime and after school. Older pupils help to run some of these, including dance, athletics and subject clubs like 'maths pod'. Pupils work together in their 'houses' to raise money for charities. They organise fundraising events such as tee-shirt sales and music competitions.

What the school should improve

• In Years 7 to 9, pupils do not have sufficient opportunities to learn a broad range of design and technology subjects. In key stage 4, pupils have limited opportunities to continue their studies in design and technology. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum includes sufficient opportunities for pupils to learn all aspects of design and technology in Years 7 to 9. Leaders should ensure that pupils have more opportunities to study design and technology subjects in Year 10 and beyond.
• Leaders do not routinely monitor how effectively staff use identified strategies to support pupils with SEND. There is inconsistency in how well staff use the information leaders give them about pupils' needs. This means that pupils are not supported consistently well across the curriculum. Leaders should ensure that staff know and use the personalised strategies for pupils with SEND.
• Even though leaders deal with reported incidents effectively, some pupils think that staff are not good at sorting out problems, including bullying and friendship issues. Leaders should ensure that all pupils feel reassured by the school's procedures for dealing with any incidents, including any bullying.

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