The Excelsior Academy
London, E8 2EY · Hackney · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th of 16 secondary schools in Hackney we can score. 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 — 8.6/10 against 101 of them, against 6.6/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.9 · 58 | 30% | 1.73 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.46 · 82 | 25% | 2.05 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.6 · 53 | 10% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Excelsior Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, inspected in 2024. In 2024/25, 39.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.46 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 983 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores further? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 above the national median?
What Ofsted said about The Excelsior Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders maintain "very high expectations" for behaviour and academic work, creating a culture of taking education seriously. Pupils are "set up to achieve to the best of their ability" within calm learning environments, supported by an ambitious curriculum and effective career guidance.
Strengths
- The curriculum is constructed with "careful thought," ensuring pupils connect with material, such as studying local artists in art or global events in history.
- Teachers are "experts in their subject areas" who use activities to check learning and identify knowledge gaps, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Leaders provide "personalised guidance" and high-quality work experience opportunities to help pupils choose their next steps after school.
- Staff are positive about workload management, and leaders ensure statutory responsibilities, including safeguarding oversight, are "well met."
Areas to improve
- The behaviour policy is "sometimes not effective for pupils with SEND," leading to higher suspension rates; the school must include "reasonable adjustments" to meet their needs.
- The offer of wider experiences is limited, with some pupils lacking a "broad range of meaningful opportunities"; the school should expand enrichment to nurture "cultural capital" and increase participation.
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 | 49.5 |
| 2024/25 | 44.7 |
| 2025/26 | 46.6 |
| 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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