High Cross Primary, Newport

High Cross Primary is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 256 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 3% have additional learning needs (20% in 2020/21); and 28% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 27 pupils (Year 2) to 59 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,180 per pupil, against £3,755 in 2021-22. It carried forward £134k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its October 2022 inspection summarises High Cross Primary like this:

"High Cross Primary school is a happy school where pupils show respect and consideration in lessons, playtimes and as they move around the school. They are enthusiastic in lessons and enjoy their learning. When they first join the school, many pupils have communication and numeracy skills at or above the level expected for children of their age. They build successfully from these starting points and develop effective literacy and mathematical skills as they move through the school. They make particularly good progress in their oracy and reading skills."

"Pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) make good progress in their learning. The curriculum provides an appropriate range of learning experiences across the curriculum that motivate and engage pupils and as a result most make suitable overall progress from their starting points. Teachers’ planning for the pupils’ skills is at a relatively early stage of development. There are limited opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across other areas of the curriculum and develop their digital and Welsh language skills. Leaders, staff and pupils succeed in developing an environment where nearly all pupils feel safe at school and are valued and respected."

"The recent developments to improve the learning environment have resulted in calm and relaxing spaces where pupils can learn and socialise with their friends. Leaders worked effectively with partners to create a shared vision for the school through the development of the school’s moto ‘Together we grow and shine.’ They broker effective support from neighbouring schools to help develop important aspects of their work and have a positive impact on the pupils and staff. Leaders set goals for improvement and use resources carefully. However, these plans do not always focus sharply enough on improving outcomes for pupils."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Ensure that school development targets are specific and focus sharply on improving outcomes for pupils; (2) Secure progression in pupils’ learning by ensuring that the curriculum builds systematically and coherently on their’ existing skills, knowledge and understanding; (3) Improve pupils’ digital skills.

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be able to write this letter as the Headteacher. The children of High Cross Primary are just wonderful! They are polite, kind and caring and an absolute credit to you and our school. I have high expectations and standards and will provide opportunities for the children to succeed academically, socially and emotionally."

The nearest other state primary schools to High Cross Primary are Rogerstone Primary School (0.5 miles), Jubilee Park Primary School (0.5 miles), Glasllwch C.P. School (0.5 miles) and Mount Pleasant Primary (0.8 miles).

The nearest railway station is Pye Corner Rail Station, about 600 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is High Cross Lane (Top) (o/s 12), 70 metres away.