Excelsior Academy
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 6AF · Newcastle upon Tyne · all-through school
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10th of 13 secondary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne we can score, 17 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.5/10 against 117 of them, against 1.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.5 · 11 | 30% | 0.33 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.62 · 11 | 25% | 0.27 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 34.4 · 5 | 10% | 0.05 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Excelsior Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 33.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.62 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in June 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Digital Leaders, Reading Buddies, Sports Leaders, and Forest School. The school offers instrumental lessons, the musical Matilda Jr, and runs an Excelsior Football Academy. Trips include visits to Beamish Museum, Blue Reef Aquarium, and local universities. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,339 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,710. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating from the 2024 inspection? How does the curriculum prepare students for the transition to
What Ofsted said about Excelsior Academy
Overview
Excelsior Academy is an inclusive all-through school where pupils are “polite and friendly” and build positive relationships. The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective” and highlights good behaviour and personal development. However, the overall effectiveness is judged as “Requires improvement” due to significant gaps in knowledge for some secondary pupils and high levels of absence.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate good behaviour, with the school described as “calm and orderly” and low-level disruption dealt with effectively.
- The curriculum is “well-sequenced” from early years to sixth form, helping pupils build knowledge in a “logical and meaningful way.”
- Reading is prioritised across all phases, with phonics taught well to help pupils become “confident and fluent readers.”
- Personal development is comprehensive, with careers provision identified as a strength that helps pupils make “well-informed choices.”
- Staff enjoy working at the school, and leaders implement change in a way that is “sensitive to staff workload.”
Areas to improve
- The key stage 3 curriculum in some secondary subjects requires further development to ensure pupils gain “depth of knowledge” before key stage 4.
- Teaching quality is “inconsistent” at key stages 3 and 4; teachers must receive professional development to secure a “deep and coherent body of knowledge” for all pupils.
- The school must continue to reduce “persistent absence,” which currently causes pupils to miss education and develop gaps in their learning.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30.2 |
| 2024/25 | 33.4 |
| 2025/26 | 34.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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