Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy, Coalville
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Coalville, part of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi Academy Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2023. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 3rd-highest of the 17 schools in Coalville with published results, and 4,333rd of 14,452 across England. It was 66% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 75 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Leicestershire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy in detail
Results
In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Leicestershire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (90% in reading, 80% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy are Whitwick St John The Baptist Church of England Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 69% reading, 78% maths); New Swannington Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 57% reading, 75% maths); Thringstone Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 54% reading, 71% maths); and Swannington Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 82% reading, 73% maths).
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.
Whitwick St John The Baptist Church of England Primary SchoolNew Swannington Primary SchoolThringstone Primary SchoolSwannington Church of England Primary School
The trust
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy is one of 23 schools run by St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
All 23 schools in St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi Academy Trust
Who goes there
11.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 11% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 21 pupils (13.6%) received SEN support and 10 (6.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rock Cottage (opposite), 130 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy issued 10 suspensions, 7.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy are The Castle Rock School (1.6 miles) and The Newbridge School (1.9 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve well, especially the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). There is a clear focus on academic achievement. However, leaders also have a strong vision for how the school develops its pupils beyond the academic curriculum. As one parent typically stated: 'Although academic success is important, I am very happy to send my child to a school that has a more rounded approach.' All staff share leaders' ambitions for success.
This is a happy school. Pupils enjoy attending. They get on well together and care for each other. Leaders have established roles, such as the Year 6 school prefects, who look after the younger pupils. They help these pupils to settle during assembly and support them at playtimes. As one prefect said: 'It's like being a mini-teacher.' Pupils behave well. They learn how to regulate their behaviour and be respectful to others. Pupils make sure everyone has someone to play with at playtime.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Learning to read is a real priority at this school. Pupils learn to read as soon as they join in the Reception Year. Leaders are passionate about the importance of teaching pupils to be able to read well. There is a consistent approach to teaching phonics. Leaders make sure that all staff have the expertise to deliver the phonics programme. Leaders make regular checks on what pupils know. As a consequence, any gaps in pupils' learning are swiftly identified. Teachers provide appropriate support. Pupils quickly catch up if they fall behind. Beyond phonics, leaders have invested heavily to ensure that pupils have books to excite them to read. Teachers make reading fun. As one pupil said: 'Whole class reading sessions feel special.'
From Ofsted's May 2023 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its May 2023 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
11.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 90% to 83% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 83% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 80% to 70% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.7
Avg class size
23.5
Infant (KS1)
30.3
KS2
6
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
Nurseries
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy, with their latest published grades:
- Whitwick Day Nursery and Preschool - Day nursery, 0.2 milesOfsted, 29 August 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Charles Booth Pre-School LTD - Day nursery, 0.7 milesOfsted, 13 October 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Hermitage Nursery School - Day nursery, 0.8 milesOfsted, 14 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Hall Lane Pre-School - Pre-school, 1.1 milesOfsted, 30 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Grace Dieu Manor Park Nursery LTD - Day nursery, 1.2 milesOfsted, 10 March 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy is in Leicestershire; for families living there:
- Leicestershire's school travel policy: Mainstream School Transport for 5 to 16 year olds
- How to apply: Request for school transport on medical grounds form PDF, 359.48 KB Opens new window
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
Will you get a place at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
For 2026 entry it had 15 first choices for 15 places. The report sets your home postcode against these figures.
£9.99 once (inc. VAT; £19.99 for up to three schools), or Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time. What's in the report
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
66%
Available places
139 pupils
210 places
71 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Across Leicestershire council
Places available
8,574
Applications
6,827
Got 1st preference
94.0%
Got preferred school
99.3%
All primary applications across Leicestershire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Future places in the local planning area
DfE estimates the Whitwick Thringstone Swannington Primary planning area (Leicestershire) will have 272 spare primary places in 2027/28.
Source: Department for Education, School capacity: Academic year 2024/25 (published 19 March 2026), estimates of future school place demand by planning area. Council pupil forecasts against reported places, counting places councils and DfE plan to add or remove; rounded to whole places. Explore Education Statistics
Inspection History(5)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good, but Ofsted raised concerns; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
21
SEN Support
10
EHC Plans
20.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
154
Total Pupils
74
Boys
80
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
7
Teachers
22.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,185
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,497
Per pupil
£859k
Total funding
£26k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.1%
Overall absence
6.0%
Persistent absence
133
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
Questions parents ask about Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy
What are SATs results like at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Of the pupils at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 83% reached the expected standard in reading and 83% did so in maths.
What is Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2023.
Is it hard to get a place at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy was not full in 2025: it ran at 66% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Classes at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy average 25.7 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils.
How many pupils go to Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy has around 154 pupils on roll. 12% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
4.1% of sessions were missed at Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy in 2024/25. 6% of pupils were persistently absent.
How many road collisions happen near Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Holy Cross School A Catholic Voluntary Academy is at Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 5AT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)