Classpot

Holy Cross College

Bury, BL9 9BBSecondaryAges 16–99MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
May 2022
Progress 8
+0.95
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
162 1st-choice / 155 places
Ranking
🏆Top 5%
#100 of 3,141 nationally

About Holy Cross College

Holy Cross College is a school that parents clearly want, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 629 applications for just 155 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.06. Of those, 162 families put it as their first preference, and 126 of them were offered a place. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation among local families, and while the school doesn't publish a formal parent satisfaction survey, the sheer volume of applications tells its own story. It's a Roman Catholic sixth-form college in Bury, but it also admits students from age 16 upwards, with no upper age limit. The headteacher is Carina Vitti, and the school operates as a state-funded, mixed-gender secondary. With a capacity of 827 and 11.5 per cent of students eligible for free school meals, it draws from a reasonably broad catchment.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range16 to 99 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterRoman Catholic
Address169 Manchester Road, Bury, Bury, BL9 9BB
HeadteacherCarina Vitti
Local AuthorityBury
Free School Meals (FSM)11.5%
School Capacity827
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

18 May 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 6 Jul 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Sixth Form CentreLibraryScience LabsArt StudiosICT SuiteGymnasiumPlaying FieldsMusic RoomsTheatreDining HallSports HallAstro TurfChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

FootballGymnasticsSwimmingDanceRugbyHockey

Clubs & Activities

DramaArt ClubEco ClubOrchestraChoirNewspaperDebateModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Cross College

Holy Cross College has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.