Holy Cross College: Catholic Sixth Form with Strong Progress and Inclusive Support

Founded by religious sisters fleeing persecution in 1878, Holy Cross College has evolved from a small private girls' school into one of the largest Catholic sixth form colleges in Greater Manchester. With approximately 2,000 sixth form students and 600 undergraduates at its University Centre, the college occupies a substantial campus on Manchester Road in Bury. The March 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded Good overall, with Outstanding grades for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and provision for learners with high needs. Students here make more progress than expected given their GCSE profiles, with the college ranking in the top 10-20% in England for value added.

The Daughters of the Cross established this institution with a clear mission: education for the disadvantaged young people of Bury. That founding purpose remains visible today. The college's distinctive charism, to honour Christ by serving his weakest and most suffering members, shapes daily life without excluding those of other faiths or none.

Carina Vitti has served as Principal since February 2021, succeeding David Frost. Under her leadership, the college has maintained its focus on what she describes as "Excellence for All", a commitment to social mobility and life chances that pervades the institution's approach. The college celebrates its heritage through Marie Therese Day, an annual founders' day where students learn about the Daughters of the Cross and receive a free cookie.

In 2014, trusteeship transferred from the Daughters of the Cross to Salford Diocese, but the founding ethos remains embedded in college culture. The chapel hosts regular Mass, open to parents and local parishioners, while a multi-faith room provides space for students of all backgrounds. The college explicitly welcomes students and staff of all faiths while delivering religious instruction according to Roman Catholic doctrine.

The atmosphere balances academic ambition with genuine pastoral warmth. Ofsted inspectors in March 2024 found behaviour and attitudes to be Outstanding, noting that students develop independent study skills from the start of their time at the college.

A-level results at Holy Cross sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. In 2024, 45.4% of grades achieved A*-B, with 20.4% at A*-A. The college ranks 1,329th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd among providers in Bury.

The headline percentages tell only part of the story. Value Added scores, which measure the progress students make between their GCSE starting points and A-level outcomes, place Holy Cross among the strongest colleges in the country. The overall pass rate stands at 98%, with 57% achieving high grades.

The March 2024 Ofsted inspection rated quality of education as Good, noting that students develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours over time. Teachers are highly qualified and subject experts. Forty A-level subjects sit alongside vocational BTEC and CTEC diplomas, allowing students to construct programmes matching their abilities and aspirations.

The curriculum offers breadth unusual in the sixth form sector. Students can choose purely A-levels, purely vocational qualifications, or combinations of both. BTEC options include Business, Information Technology, and Applied Science (the triple award equivalent to three A-levels). Around 670 students study A-levels or BTECs in Business and Accounting alone.

Class sizes vary by subject, but the teaching model emphasises independent study from day one. The 2024 inspection highlighted that students achieve successfully because teachers build knowledge systematically and create environments where learners feel confident to contribute.

Specialist facilities support this work. Science and language laboratories use modern equipment. Media and computing suites provide industry-standard software. Music technology students access professional recording facilities. Art studios accommodate a range of practices from fine art to photography.

In 2024, 58% of leavers progressed to university, with 5% entering apprenticeships and 21% moving directly into employment. The college has built a strong track record in competitive applications, ranking 271st in England for combined Oxbridge outcomes.

Forty-seven students applied to Oxford and Cambridge in the most recent data period, securing five offers and one acceptance. The college's Excellence Programme supports those targeting the most demanding destinations, with an Academic Champion guiding Russell Group applicants. Specialist groups exist for students pursuing medicine and veterinary science.

University destinations reflect both regional strength and wider ambition. In recent years, 67 students progressed to Manchester University, 52 to Manchester Metropolitan, 39 to Salford, and 25 to Liverpool. Lancaster attracted 22 students, Leeds 15, Newcastle 13, and York 9. The college reports that a quarter of university-bound students secure Russell Group places.

For those pursuing alternative pathways, the apprenticeship route has grown in prominence. Degree apprenticeships feature among the positive destinations Ofsted highlighted in 2024.

Entry to Holy Cross operates through direct application to the college rather than local authority coordination. The online application window for September 2026 opened on 1 October 2025 and closed on 1 December 2025. Late applications require an explanatory email to the admissions team; without this, candidates join a waiting list.

General entry requirements apply across the college, with individual subjects specifying additional criteria on their course pages. All offers remain conditional on meeting both college and subject requirements, plus receiving a supportive reference from the current school.

Interviews run from November onwards, providing opportunities to discuss course choices and general suitability. The final interview evening for September 2026 entry takes place on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with offer letters posted by Monday 9 February 2026. New Students' Day falls on Monday 22 June 2026, and enrolment begins on GCSE Results Day in August 2026.

Open events for September 2025 entry were held in October 2024. Families interested in future entry should check the college website for upcoming dates, typically scheduled in the autumn term.

As a Catholic college, Holy Cross welcomes students of all faiths while maintaining its distinctive religious character. The admissions process does not require Catholic baptism, though the college's ethos will shape daily experience.

Pastoral provision received Outstanding grades in the March 2024 Ofsted inspection, recognition that the founding mission continues to inform modern practice. Every student has a Progress Tutor who monitors academic progress and provides first-line support. Weekly tutorial sessions create regular contact points.

The Wellbeing service offers one-to-one support, typically weekly meetings tailored to individual needs. The approach focuses on building healthy coping strategies and forming good habits while providing space to discuss concerns. Students may be referred to the in-house counselling service or signposted to external agencies.

Wellbeing groups address specific needs. The Den provides male wellbeing support every Tuesday. An art for wellbeing group meets Fridays. The HCC social group operates at break time, offering socialising, board games, and mindfulness activities. Second-year students can train as Wellbeing Mentors, providing peer support to younger classmates.

The Togetherall platform provides 24/7 mental health support, creating an online community where students can seek anonymous support outside college hours.

Financial support removes barriers for disadvantaged students. The 16-19 Bursary Fund and Free School Meals scheme help with transport, equipment, and other costs that might otherwise prevent full participation.

Learning Support and SEND

The provision for learners with high needs earned Outstanding from Ofsted, the college's highest individual grade. Dedicated Learning Support services work with students requiring additional assistance, whether for specific learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or other needs.

The college's founding purpose, to serve those who find education difficult, translates into practical commitment. The SEND team coordinates support, ensures reasonable adjustments, and liaises with external services. The Welcome Hub helps students navigate college systems and access available support.

Enrichment at Holy Cross spans sport, performing arts, faith activities, and academic extension. Leaders provide a very broad and varied range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities, as Ofsted noted in 2024.

Sport

Ten teams across eight sports entered regional and national competitions in recent years. Six teams or individuals represented the North West at the AoC National Finals at Nottingham University. Sports Scholarships help elite performers manage training expenses alongside studies.

The sports hall provides space for competitive and recreational activity. Facilities include secure bike sheds and shower facilities for cyclists. The college celebrates sporting achievement through periodic Sports Presentation Dinners.

Performing Arts

Drama students can work towards LAMDA awards, with examinations scheduled alongside A-level studies. Dance classes run as enrichment activities. Students interested in forming bands access the professional recording studio and performing spaces.

Music students receive free instrumental and vocal tuition. Concerts take place regularly, and the annual college production brings together performers from across year groups.

Clubs and Societies

Subject-specific groups include Physics Club and Debate Club. Field trips and educational visits extend classroom learning. A summer Enrichment Week offers opportunities to explore new interests, develop leadership skills, and take part in activities beyond the regular curriculum.

Faith and Service

The Chaplaincy coordinates pilgrimage opportunities, including the annual Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes where students assist disabled and elderly pilgrims. Residential retreats to Kintbury, a De La Salle centre in Berkshire, combine faith, friendship, and fun.

Faith Ambassadors represent their traditions during Interfaith Week and at Bury's annual Interfaith Forum. Recent visits have included Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Gurdwara in Manchester and Khizra Mosque in Bury.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme provides structured challenge and service opportunities for those seeking formal recognition of their enrichment activities.

The college operates from a single campus at 169 Manchester Road, Walmersley, Bury, BL9 9BB. Teaching facilities include state-of-the-art science and language laboratories, a sports hall, theatre spaces, art studios, music practice rooms, and a recording studio.

Student amenities include a refectory, coffee shop, and social and study areas. The Careers service and Learning Support operate from dedicated spaces.

Transport links serve the college from across Greater Manchester. Secure bike sheds accommodate cyclists. Students using mopeds have access to designated bays.

For specific information about college hours and wraparound provision, families should contact the college directly or visit the website.

Catholic ethos is genuine. Mass is celebrated regularly in the chapel. Advent and Lenten liturgies involve all students. Core Religious Education forms part of every programme. While the college welcomes students of all faiths, families uncomfortable with explicit Catholic practice should consider whether this environment suits their child.

Large institution. With 2,000 sixth formers and 600 undergraduates, Holy Cross differs markedly from smaller sixth form settings. Students must develop independence quickly. Those who thrive in more intimate environments may find the scale challenging.

Results require context. Raw A-level percentages sit around the England average, which may disappoint families seeking headline-grabbing grades. The Value Added story is more impressive, showing students progress beyond expectations. Families should consider which metric matters more for their child.

Competitive application processes. With a December deadline for September entry, students must commit to Holy Cross early in Year 11. Late applications face uncertainty. Families juggling multiple options should plan accordingly.

Holy Cross College delivers on its founding promise to serve all students, not just the already successful. Outstanding pastoral care, Outstanding SEND provision, and Outstanding personal development combine with solid academic teaching to produce a genuinely supportive environment. Value Added data confirms that students make more progress here than their GCSE profiles would predict.

Best suited to students seeking a large, lively, and explicitly Catholic community where personal development matters as much as grades. The college welcomes students of all faiths but expects engagement with its religious character. Families prioritising raw A*-A percentages may look elsewhere; those valuing progress, pastoral warmth, and university preparation will find much to admire.