Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

About Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Liverpool is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is currently running well above its official capacity. With 219 pupils on roll against a capacity of 195, the school is clearly in demand, and the 2025/26 admissions data confirms that: the school received 29 first-preference applications for just 27 places, making it officially oversubscribed with an oversubscription ratio of 1.3. The pupil body is notably diverse in terms of disadvantage, with 42.9% of children eligible for free school meals — significantly higher than the national primary average of around 23%. This suggests a school serving a community with above-average levels of economic deprivation, yet one that remains a popular first choice for local families. The school has a nursery provision attached, so children can join from age three, and the headteacher is Helen Bannon. The religious character is Roman Catholic, which will be a key factor for many families considering the school.

Academically, Holy Cross achieves mixed results at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 assessments, 52% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — below the Liverpool local authority average of 59%. The school ranks 74th out of 102 primary schools in Liverpool on this measure, placing it in the bottom half of the city. However, individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: 70% of pupils met the expected standard in both maths and writing, and the average maths score was 104, which is above the national benchmark of 100. Reading was slightly weaker, with an average score of 102 and only 65% reaching the expected level. At the higher standard, just 4% of pupils achieved the top level across all three subjects, though 22% did so in maths and writing individually. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023 was ungraded, confirming it remains Good, a rating it has held consistently since at least 2013.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for a primary of its size, including a forest school, sensory room, chapel, music rooms and art studios. Sports provision covers swimming, gymnastics, cross country and netball, while clubs include drama, chess and art club. For children with additional needs, the school has identified provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health challenges, and autistic spectrum disorder. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is The Beacon Church of England Primary School, 1.6 km away, which may be an alternative for families prioritising a top Ofsted grade. Holy Cross suits families who value a faith-based setting with a strong sense of community, who are comfortable with a school that is oversubscribed but not fiercely selective, and who want a broad range of enrichment activities alongside a curriculum that performs solidly in maths and writing.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents