SchoolScoresExcelsior Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 19 · Mixed · Nursery class · Sixth form
Part of THE LAIDLAW SCHOOLS TRUST
Denton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 6AF
0191 228 8400 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 8 May 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
51 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne comparisons use the 16 of its 22 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 6 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 7% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 81% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 15th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 5% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 4% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 34 parents whose child had been bullied 14th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 5% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 45% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 46 parents who had raised a concern 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 5% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 37% | 67% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 7% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Newcastle-upon-Tyne figures pool parents at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
22 pupils in this year group.
55% — 11 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 55% | 66% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 73% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 59% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
205 pupils in this year group.
24% — 21 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 24% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 33.4 | 43.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
204 pupils in this year group.
77% — 9 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 77% | 86% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | Not published | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 77% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
30 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 4% | 24% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 13% | 50% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 15.7 | 33.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
13 subjects, 54 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 16 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Italian | 8 | 0% | 0% | – |
| Biology | 6 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics, English Literature, Physics, Arabic, Art and Design, Sociology, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
93 students in this year group.
54% — 20 points below the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 25 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 54% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 29% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 54% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
71 students in this year group.
65% — 16 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 65% | 49% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 1% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 59% | 65% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Newcastle upon Tyne. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 240 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 171 |
| Of those, offered a place | 171 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 354 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.7
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2025 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 10 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 10 |
| Of those, offered a place | 10 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 20 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2025 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 72.7% | 43.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.6% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 51.7% | 24.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 9.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 13% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.5% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 63.5 | 42.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded9 pupils | 0.63% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 20th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 20th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 21 state secondary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 57% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7% | 10.1%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Cuthbert's High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Trinity Solutions Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected
- Sacred Heart Catholic High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Studio West 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dame Allan's Schools 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 49% A*/A at A level
- Bahr Academy 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Kingsmeadow Community School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Callerton Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Whickham School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Excelsior Academy's Ofsted rating?
Excelsior Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 May 2024.
How did Excelsior Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 24% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Excelsior Academy?
45% of the 51 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Excelsior Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Excelsior Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 171 families put Excelsior Academy as their first choice for 240 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 171 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 135423.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.