Holy Cross College
N/A
Capacity
N/A
Pupils
4.1x
Demand
About Holy Cross College
Holy Cross College is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Bury community, welcoming children from age 16 to 99.
Ofsted has rated Holy Cross College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Carina Vitti, it falls under Bury local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.95 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 58.6. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 100th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 14 in Bury.
Holy Cross College is a popular choice with families — it received 629 applications for 155 places, making it 4.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 162 were first-preference applications.
Holy Cross College has average reviews on SchoolParrot (3.2/5 from 1 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Holy Cross College include Sixth Form Centre, Library, Science Labs, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Theatre, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Gymnastics, Swimming, Dance and 2 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Art Club, Eco Club, Orchestra and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 11.5%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bury, Holy Cross College is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 16 to 99 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 169 Manchester Road, Bury, Bury, BL9 9BB |
| Headteacher | Carina Vitti |
| Local Authority | Bury |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 11.5% |
| School Capacity | 827 |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 6 Jul 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.95)
100th of 3,141
Nationally
11th of 445
In North West
1st of 14
In Bury
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
38.8
'22/23
37.6
'23/24
35.9
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed155
629
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
162 families put this school as their 1st choice (26% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Cross College
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
169 Manchester Road, Bury
Bury, BL9 9BB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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