The short version
Below-average GCSE results. 84% capacity. Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (2024).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 33.4 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in 2024
- 70% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, above the national average
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Reading, Writing & Maths
Expected standard
Pupils meeting expected level in all three
55%
-7.0pp vs nationalHigher standard
Pupils exceeding expected level
0%
-8.0pp vs nationalSubject scores
Reading
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
103
-3.0 vs nationalMaths
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
101
-4.0 vs nationalGrammar & spelling
Average scaled score (100 = expected)
100
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Official DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
33.4
10.4 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
24%
17.4pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
36%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
D-
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.94
Band 5Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
77%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
75%
Employment
Directly into work
2%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
13%
Based on 204 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 19 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
32% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
3% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 15 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 9 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 154 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- All-through
- Ages
- 3–19
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,439
- Capacity
- 84%
- FSM
- 69.9%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Trust
- THE LAIDLAW SCHOOLS TRUST
- Head
- Mr Mark Foster (Executive Principal)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Nursery
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksMonitoring visit
10 official reports linked on this page, including 9 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Requires Improvement
May 2024 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
December 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
March 2021 | Monitoring Visit
School inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2020 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
November 2017 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
November 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Good
January 2013 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Satisfactory
January 2011 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2010 | Monitoring Visit
Location
Denton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE15 6AF
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmBroadwood Primary School
Primary · 716m away
Waverley Primary School
Primary · 899m away
St Cuthbert's High School
Secondary · 1.1km away
Lemington Riverside Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
Stocksfield Avenue Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
Hadrian School
Special school · 1.6km away
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Primary · 1.6km away
Atkinson Road Primary School
Primary · 1.8km away
Questions parents ask
Is Excelsior Academy a selective school?
No. Excelsior Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Excelsior Academy's Ofsted rating?
Excelsior Academy was rated Requires Improvement at its most recent inspection in May 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Excelsior Academy?
Excelsior Academy currently has 1,439 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Excelsior Academy take?
Excelsior Academy caters for pupils aged 3 to 19. It is classified as a all-through school.
Where is Excelsior Academy?
Excelsior Academy is in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 6AF, in the Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Excelsior Academy have a sixth form?
Yes, Excelsior Academy has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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