Holy Cross College

Overview

Holy Cross College is a Roman Catholic sixth-form college in Bury, Greater Manchester, where students enjoy a "welcoming, caring and friendly" environment with very high attendance. The inspection found that leaders provide a "high standard of education" and ensure social disadvantage is not a barrier to success, resulting in most students achieving higher than expected grades. The college fosters strong personal development, with students described as "responsible, caring and active citizens" who make a positive difference in their communities.

Strengths

• Teachers are "ambitious for what students can achieve," using effective assessment and questioning to deepen knowledge and correct misconceptions swiftly.
• The college offers a "very broad and varied range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities," with over three-quarters of students participating regularly in clubs, sports, and charity work.
• Students with high needs experience a "transformational journey," receiving tailored support that allows them to access the same ambitious curriculums as their peers.
• Staff promote fundamental British values effectively, and LGBTQ+ students feel staff go "above and beyond" to ensure inclusivity and support.
• Leaders provide effective professional development and workload support for teachers, contributing to high-quality teaching and significant improvements in subject areas.

Areas to improve

• Create a "challenging and broad level 2 curriculum" for the high proportion of students who achieve their GCSE English and mathematics resit qualifications early in the academic year.
• Ensure all subjects perform at the "same consistently high standard" across the college and increase the number of students achieving the highest grades.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that students understand how to spot signs of extremism and report concerns.