The Holy Cross School

About the school

About us

The Holy Cross School, founded in 1931 by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, is a voluntary aided Roman Catholic School for girls aged between 11-18. At Key Stage 5 the school has worked in curriculum partnership with our local boys school, Richard Challoner, for the past thirty years and post 16 lessons are co-ed. The school is a specialist Science College and converted to Academy status in August 2012. The school is proud to be acknowledged by the SSAT as being in the top 5% of all schools nationally for progress made from Year 7 to 11.  The school currently has 950 students on roll and employs over 100 staff.

The Holy Cross School can offer you the opportunity to work in an outstanding school environment with well-behaved, motivated students who are keen to learn.

Staff Development

We believe that effective professional development is an essential component in our drive for excellence. We are committed to providing training as appropriate to your role, stage in your career and future aspirations.   The Holy Cross School is an accredited ‘Investors In People Silver’ organisation and will support your on-going professional development.

Continuing Professional Development

We offer an array of training opportunities to support staff development. These range from safeguarding training given to all members of staff, CPD sessions based on identified training needs for all teaching as well as non-teaching staff, external courses and participation in nationally recognised Leadership Programmes. We particularly encourage staff to train as examiners for GCSEs/A Levels in order to further raise attainment. We facilitate mentoring for staff in new roles and provide a tailored support programme where necessary. Further development is also identified through learning walks and lesson observations and is discussed as an integral aspect of the staff appraisal process. Staff may opt to train as First Aiders or undertake Minibus Driver training.

Staff Induction 

If your employment at Holy Cross commences at the start of the academic year in September you will be invited for an induction day towards the end of the Summer Term. All other new staff will receive induction and this will be arranged at a mutually convenient time either prior to employment or as soon as possible.

Staff Benefits

Childcare Vouchers Scheme

We offer our employees a Childcare Vouchers scheme, enabling any working parent to claim childcare vouchers, by way of a salary sacrifice. The advantage is that you do not pay Income Tax or National Insurance on the amount chosen to be taken as Childcare Vouchers.

Cycle to Work Scheme

The cycle to work scheme is available to all staff and works by way of salary sacrifice. It enables you to get new bikes and accessories tax-free, saving on average about half the cost.

Our Ethos and Values

At the Holy Cross School we aim to provide a rounded education for girls of all abilities. The Holy Cross has very strong Catholic values. They are clear and explicit and inform all that we do. We are a thriving school with a strong community spirit. Our Catholic ethos is reflected in our Mission Statement below.

Mission Statement

We are the children of God
 and in the spirit of St.Francis and Mother Bernarda,
 we aim to create a happy family environment
 in which all may grow:
 in faith, hope and love for God,
 in love and respect for one another and the world around us,
 in learning and wisdom,
 so that we may live life to the full and joyfully share this life with others,
 especially those who are in any way disadvantaged