The Holy Cross School
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
About The Holy Cross 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 converted to Academy status in August 2012. The school is proud to be acknowledged by the SSAT as being in the top 1% of all schools nationally for progress made from Year 7 to 11. The school currently has 980 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.
School Awards
We were delighted to have been awarded ‘World Class Schools’ accreditation in 2017 and have been reaccredited with ongoing World Class School status. In 2021 the school was awarded the Silver RACE Charter Mark. This award, recognised nationally, acknowledges our commitment to improving race equality and prioritising an inclusive culture where staff, students, parents and partners of all ethnicities are equally valued.
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 ongoing 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
Membership of a Pension Scheme
All staff that join the school are automatically enrolled into a pension scheme. For Teachers, this is the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme and for Non-Teachers the Local Government Pension Scheme. Each month, the school contributes towards these funds for all staff that are members of the schemes. The current rates of the school’s Employers’ contributions is 23.68% for Teachers and 22.20% for Non Teachers of an individual’s pensionable pay. A member of staff may opt out of a scheme at any time by providing a written request to do so.
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.
Employee Assistance Programme
‘Health Assured’ is a confidential, independent provider of support services, including counselling available to council employees. All Holy Cross staff will have access to this free service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is accessible by phone, email, online and via instant messaging.
Eye Care
Staff are entitled to claim up to £20 towards the cost of an eye test, as part of their role, if they regularly use a computer, laptop or other display screen equipment (DSE). You can claim up to £50 towards the cost of glasses if you are diagnosed by the optician as requiring either glasses for sole use with DSE or those for general use incorporating a special prescription specifically for use with DSE.
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.
Location
Situated in the leafy green Greater London suburb of New Malden with excellent train links into central London (only 25 minutes by train into London Waterloo), the school’s location is idyllic. The deer in Richmond Park and the buzzing riverside market town of Kingston upon Thames (with shopping, bars and restaurants well-catered for) are a short car, train or bus ride away. Close to the A3, the beautiful Surrey countryside is easily accessible by car and the coast is only one hour’s drive away.
Location
When I first started working at Holy Cross School, it was a welcome surprise to see how warm and friendly the staff were. Everyone understood how difficult it is to adjust to the policies and procedures of a new school and was really supportive and understanding accordingly. From the senior staff to the teaching staff and the administrative staff everyone was very kind and went out of their way to help me and make me feel welcome. Within the Science department my colleagues were incredibly professional; they happily and with endless patience answered all my questions, shared resources, ideas and strategies, so that I soon felt part of the team. And two years later this is still the case: we are a strong, cohesive Science department, we have a lovely team of teachers who celebrate the good moments and support each other throughout the not so good moments. We all love teaching Science to our students and work hard to consistently plan and deliver the best lessons, we constantly strive to find the most effective way of teaching each topic and to keep our students motivated and challenged. And although teaching is a stressful profession, teaching at Holy Cross is a privilege and this is especially because of the students we have at our school. Our students are lovely. They do their very best to meet the high expectations we set for them. Behaviour is not an issue and so, for the first time in my career, I have been able to focus solely on the teaching, the students are engaged and set high standards for themselves, asking interesting questions and enjoying the learning process. Working at Holy Cross has definitely made me a better teacher. We have a strong sense of community which brings staff, students and their families together, united in our shared values and strict moral compass. I feel very proud when I am able to say where I work and what I do because the Holy Cross School is so well regarded in the wider community
- Catarina Wheeler - Teacher of ScienceTo work at The Holy Cross School means to work at a school where you are valued as a member of staff as well as being a part of a community that puts students first. Teaching the students is a pleasure. They are always well mannered, cooperative and eager to learn. The calm, fun and relaxing school ethos promotes positive learning and is an enriching environment for all to learn and grow. The school offers and encourages staff professional development. I feel supported and able to progress within my career. The Holy Cross School has an outstanding reputation within the local community and I feel very proud and privileged to work here. The art department is a nurturing and outstanding department. I have enjoyed developing external links with agencies and London galleries to enrich the students’ understanding and experience of art education. Through regular support, the Art department are frequently encouraged to recognise success through external competitions and events including the BIG DRAW and The Saatchi Gallery. Every morning I look forward to coming to work.
- Ryan Taylor - Head of Art