The Excel Academy

About The Excel Academy

The Excel Academy is a mixed state secondary for 11 to 16 year olds in Stoke-on-Trent, and it is a school that families in the area are clearly keen to get into. With 1,208 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,200, it is essentially full to the brim. The demand is evident from the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 567 applications for 233 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.43, and 310 of those applications were first-preference choices. That level of competition suggests a strong local reputation. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage — 32.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with the national secondary average of around 23%. This context matters when interpreting the school’s academic results, as schools with higher FSM percentages often face additional challenges in driving attainment.

Academically, the school’s Progress 8 score of -0.57 places it well below average nationally, ranking 8th out of 13 schools in Stoke-on-Trent and in the bottom 50% of schools across the country. However, it is worth noting that the local authority average Progress 8 score is itself negative at -0.47, so the school is not far off the local benchmark. The Attainment 8 score sits at 39.8, and 55.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 31.4% reaching grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is 39.9%, though only 17.5% of pupils entered the full EBacc and 8.1% achieved it at grade 5 or above. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021 rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. This was an improvement from its previous inspection in 2012, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including science labs, music rooms, art studios, a sports hall, tennis courts, and an astro turf pitch, and pupils can choose from sports like football, rugby, netball, and athletics, plus clubs such as debate, choir, drama, and eco club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists provisions for a wide spectrum of conditions including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. There is no sixth form, so pupils will need to move on at 16. Given the high demand and full roll, this is a school that suits families who live close enough to secure a place and who value a Good-rated, inclusive secondary with a strong sense of local community, even if its academic outcomes are below the national average.

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