The Excelsior Academy

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, London, E8 2EYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Excelsior Academy is a secondary school in Hackney for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 105 schools in Hackney. It ranks 12th of 16 secondary schools in Hackney. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 February 2024, report published 14 May 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 February 2024

Pupils at this school are set up to achieve to the best of their ability. Leaders have very high expectations for pupils' behaviour and academic work. Teachers come together to set a consistent culture across the school of taking education seriously, and pupils mainly respond well. Pupils are praised and receive a 'golden ticket' at the end of each lesson to recognise effort. Leaders are ambitious for pupils' futures after they finish school. Pupils receive personalised guidance to help them choose their next steps. For example, the school organises high-quality work experience opportunities in law, medicine, coding and architecture. Pupils know that they are expected to be on time and ready to learn. The school has set out very clear lines of how it expects pupils to behave. This includes the way they should sit in the classroom, move around the corridors and greet members of the school community. This means that classrooms become calm learning environments. When learning is disrupted, teachers take quick and consistent action to minimise any impact on other pupils' learning. At times, however, a few find the behaviour expectations difficult to follow and receive support from the school's pastoral system. Any incidents of bullying are recorded, and leaders are quick to respond. Pupils feel safe at this school, and most say they are happy here. They know that if they raise a concern, it will be dealt with.

What the school should improve

  • The school's behaviour policy is sometimes not effective for pupils with SEND. This means that these pupils are at higher risk than others of missing school through suspensions. The school should ensure that its policies include reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
  • The school's offer of wider experiences leads to some pupils not having a broad range of meaningful opportunities. The school should expand its offer of wider enrichment experiences and ensure that it extends the reach of these opportunities to nurture pupils' cultural capital and encourage increased participation.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

177 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score44.7

44.7, 1.4 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths39.5%

39.5%, 5.9 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths60.5%

60.5%, 4.3 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc86.4%

86.4%, 45.9 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.11

4.11, 0.02 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

27 students

Average point score per A level entry38.58

38.58, 3.58 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

983 pupils on roll, with places for 1,080

Eligible for free school meals63.5%

63.5%, 37 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language43.7%

43.7%, 22.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.6%

9.6%, 5.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.3%

4.3%, 1.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Excelsior Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Mossbourne Community Academy0.4 milesReport card: Expected standard to exceptionalAttainment 8: 65.1
Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form0.7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 48.4
St Paul's Waldorf School0.8 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Clapton Girls' Academy0.9 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 59.4
Tawhid Boys School, Tawhid Educational Trust0.9 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 55.5

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Omar Deria
Address
Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, London, E8 2EY
Local authority
Hackney
URN
131062

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.