SchoolScoresHoly Cross Catholic Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Millfield Avenue, East Cowes, PO32 6AS
01983 292885 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 5 March 2026.
In short: 2 strong, 2 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
40 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 80% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 77% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 71% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 78% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 34 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 76% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 16 parents of children with SEND Higher than 81% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 79% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
31 pupils in this year group.
35% — 16 points below the Isle of Wight average, and 27 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Isle of Wight | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 35% | 51% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 4% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 65% | 67% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 61% | 65% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 58% | 64% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 103 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 99 | 102 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Isle of Wight. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 18 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 18 |
| Of those, offered a place | 18 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 27 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Isle of Wight | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 27th highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.2% | 25.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 36th highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 4.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 30th highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.1% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 33rd highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 4.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 72% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 49% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.8% | 15.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 45% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 30% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 94% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 25.7 | 19.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 96% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.1 | 10.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 36 state primary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 95% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 39.0% | 18.7%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Queensgate Foundation Primary 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lanesend Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 37% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gurnard Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Northwood Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holy Cross Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 strong, 2 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Holy Cross Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 27 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Holy Cross Catholic Primary School?
98% of the 40 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Holy Cross Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holy Cross Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 18 families put Holy Cross Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 18 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 18 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 118198.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.