Mission & Ethos

A Catholic College is a centre of community, life and study which strives to be genuinely and fully human. It is a place where people can learn, grow and develop while feeling at home and valued. The College aims to offer to all, especially the poor and marginalised, the opportunity of an education, of training for a job, of human and Christian formation.

The spirit of the Gospel is at the heart of our way of life, relationships and community. Thus we affirm the value of each member of the College's community- whether student or employee - and have concern for the whole person and the uniqueness of the individual. This entails sharing each other’s strengths and being sensitive to one another's weaknesses, as well as striving for the highest expectations of personal growth and achievement.

At Holy Cross we are fortunate in having a Chaplaincy Team which takes a leading role in the liturgical life of the College, days of recollection and retreats. Members of the Team are also available to help and support students on a more informal basis. The College Chapel provides space for individual reflection and quiet prayer. Mass is offered regularly, and is open to all.

An integral part of the College's broad educational experience is the Religious Education programme. This involves one lesson each week and explores major themes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in relation to ordinary life for young people today and wider philosophical and cultural issues. It takes the form of debate, discussion and action, as well as more formal learning, and your views and contribution will be highly valued. It is fully accredited but is not an exam or homework subject. Topics for discussion include Philosophy, Human Rights, Ethics, Relationships, Catholic Teaching and Spirituality. In Religious Education lessons you will develop new skills, meet and work with a variety of students and be encouraged to come to a deeper understanding of life, religion and yourself.

Holy Cross has always been proud of its links with the wider community. From taking a full part in the Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage, to hosting an annual Christmas party for children and making courses accessible for young people in our partner schools, we are an outward-looking and welcoming place.

The college is inspired by the charism and example of the Daughters of the Cross of Liège, our founders, and the ethos of the wider family of Catholic Sixth Form Colleges.

Daily prayer takes place every morning in the chapel, and there are frequent celebrations if the Eucharist by the Priest Chaplain and other visiting priests. Students are encouraged to use the chapel for private prayer – it is a welcoming space and the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

We are lucky at Holy Cross to have a full-time Lay Chaplain and also access to a Priest Chaplain, and the Chaplaincy offers many opportunities to enrich your life and understanding.

Holy Cross students play an important part in the annual Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, and other pilgrimage opportunities.

There are also opportunities to go on retreat, and both staff and students have Catholic Ethos Days and Assemblies.

Every year, the College holds a special Christmas party for children with special needs, and celebrations of One World Week, various festivals and seasons, and annual leavers’ celebrations.

Students are involved with various groups including Fair Trade, CAFOD, Faith and Justice and supporting many charities including the Diocesan charity, CARITAS – Diocese of Salford.

All students take part in an exciting discussion, debating and learning opportunity known as General RE. Far from seeking to ‘indoctrinate’ students, we welcome free and open debate, while seeking to introduce students to the valuable riches of the Catholic tradition and indeed each other’s philosophical and religious perspectives in respectful dialogue.