Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #11 in Newcastle upon Tyne public Top 44% UK

Excelsior Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr James Andriot

corporate_fareTHE LAIDLAW SCHOOLS TRUST

location_onNewcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 6AF

language Visit Website phone 1912288400

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,497

trending_up

Attainment 8

33.4

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#11 in Newcastle upon Tyne

#3,092 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Excelsior Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, serving ages 3-19. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

article

School Summary

Excelsior Academy is an academy sponsor led in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, admitting pupils aged 3-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE LAIDLAW SCHOOLS TRUST. The school has approximately 1,439 pupils on roll, of whom 73% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 33.4, placing the school #11 in Newcastle upon Tyne and #3,092 of 3,216 nationally. 24.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 6.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined. The school ranks #48 of 12 primaries in Newcastle upon Tyne and #9,753 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 13 A-level subjects. 13.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 3.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.95 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 5 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 26.2 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

33.4

Grade 5+ E&M

24.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)6.9%

Entering EBacc36.10%

EBacc APS2.85

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.62

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

30.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41.30%

EBacc APS2.67

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.68

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

31.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS2.65

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS2.93

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.6

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

31.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc2%

EBacc APS2.42

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

32.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS2.43

explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

77%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

81%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

82%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

80%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.95

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A3.7%

Achieving A*–B13.0%

VA Banding Well below average

Retention rate95.2%

A-level subjects offered13

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.55

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.00%

2023

Avg Grade

D-

Students

Retention rate94.10%

2022

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

55%

LA 63%

Reading73% LA 75%

Writing59% LA 71%

Maths73% LA 74%

Read SS

103

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

34%

LA 61%England 61%

Reading66% LA 73% · Eng 74%

Writing55% LA 71% · Eng 72%

Maths45% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Read SS

104

Maths SS

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

33%

LA 59%England 60%

Reading47% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing60% LA 70% · Eng 71%

Maths33% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Read SS

100

Maths SS

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

-4.0

Read

LA -0.1

-6.3 to -1.8

0.4

Write

LA 0.4

-1.7 to 2.6

-6.6

Maths

LA -0.1

-8.7 to -4.4

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

47%

LA 64%England 65%

Reading53% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing63% LA 77% · Eng 78%

Maths63% LA 79% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

102

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-2.6

Read

LA 1.5

-4.9 to -0.2

0.1

Write

LA 1.5

-2.1 to 2.2

-1.0

Maths

LA 1.6

-3.0 to 1.1

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

35%

LA 68%

Reading53% LA 77%

Writing35% LA 78%

Maths53% LA 78%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA 1.5

Write

LA 1.3

Maths

LA 1.6

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2025

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

02 December 2021

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

03 March 2021

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

10 March 2020

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

28 November 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 November 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

30 January 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

12 January 2011

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

25 February 2010

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-05-08

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2020-03-10

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-11-28

S5 Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-01-30

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

29.2%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

13.2%(190 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

4pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,439 pupils. During this period, there were 420 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 29.2%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,439	420	29.2%	7.3%	4
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,434	332	23.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,462	202	13.8%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,460	147	10.1%	7.1%	3
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,467	280	19.1%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,496	248	16.6%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,497	336	22.4%	6.4%	3
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,508	235	15.6%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,529	131	8.6%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,536	94	6.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,548	145	9.4%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,530	76	5.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,516	16	1.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,532	65	4.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,442	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,442	49	3.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,474	100	6.8%	4.2%	3
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,550	36	2.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,548	50	3.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,571	14	0.9%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,517	32	2.1%	3.4%	4
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,518	44	2.9%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,493	31	2.1%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,516	33	2.2%	3.0%	5
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,498	25	1.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,485	15	1.0%	3.1%	2

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 124 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 101 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 79 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 33 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 20 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Hearing Impairment 6 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

55.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

53.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

18.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree10%

agree25%

disagree35%

strongly disagree29%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree12%

agree31%

disagree37%

strongly disagree20%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree14%

agree20%

disagree31%

strongly disagree25%

not applicable10%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes37%

no63%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree11%

agree21%

disagree16%

strongly disagree42%

dont know11%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree20%

agree37%

disagree22%

strongly disagree16%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree27%

agree39%

disagree14%

strongly disagree16%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree18%

agree39%

disagree25%

strongly disagree18%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree16%

agree49%

disagree20%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree22%

agree49%

disagree12%

strongly disagree10%

don't know8%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree16%

agree29%

disagree22%

strongly disagree22%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes45%

no55%

Top Secondary Schools in Newcastle upon Tyne

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

St Mary's Catholic School

Outstanding

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7PE

emoji_events #1 in LA

Gosforth Academy

Good

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 2JH

emoji_events #2 in LA

Jesmond Park Academy

Good

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7DP

emoji_events #3 in LA

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

Outstanding

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 9YH

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Cuthbert's High School

Good

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 7PX

emoji_events #5 in LA

Walbottle Academy

Good

location_on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 9TP

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Newcastle upon Tyne arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Newcastle upon Tyne

St Mary's Catholic School

Gosforth Academy

Jesmond Park Academy

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

St Cuthbert's High School

Walbottle Academy