The Holy Cross School

About us

The Holy Cross School, founded in 1931 by the Congregation of Sisters 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 and maintains strong relationships with local schools, the Archdiocese, and the local authority. The school is proud to be acknowledged by the SSAT as being in the top 1% of all schools nationally for the exceptional progress made from Year 7 to 11.  The school currently has 970 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. We were rated 'Outstanding' in all areas, including the overall judgment, in a 2024 Catholic Schools inspection. Our inclusive, vibrant community and exceptional RE department received high praise. 

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, and will support your on-going 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.

Additional 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.

Diversity in our school community

We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive school, committed to reflecting the community we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and particularly welcome those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

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.