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Excelsior Academy
Information for Candidates
NOR 1340 including 270 in the sixth form and 90 pupils in Rainbird Primary ( R, Y1 Y2)
Excelsior Academy opened in new purpose built accommodation in Scotswood in Newcastle West in
September 2008. It replaced West Gate Community College which was about a mile away and deemed
to be a failing school. Almost all pupils (Years 7 – 13) and around 70% staff transferred to Excelsior. The
Academy’s Sponsor is Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay.
Excelsior Academy operates a “Schools within a School” model and at the time of opening our structure
was unique nationally. Within Excelsior’s framework there are three small autonomous 11- 16 mixed
ability and mixed gender schools. There is also a sixth form, Excelsior College. During 2012 – 2013 the
original four 11 – 16 schools became three schools as we prepared to become “all thorough” with a
new Primary phase starting with Reception and Y1 children joining from September 2013.
Each of the 11 – 16 schools, Excelsior College and Rainbird Primary has its own School Principal,
employed as a Headteacher with a Headteacher Contract. S/he is responsible for the development and
operation of her/ his school. S/he has a high degree of autonomy to lead and manage her/ his school
within the parameters set by Academy policies, targets and expectations. Pupils and staff are allocated
to a school where most work almost exclusively. Regardless of their school, all pupils have the same
opportunities.
Teachers of English have the benefit of working as part of a team of 4-5 English specialists within their
school, as part of the large Academy team of English Specialists and in addition as part of a team of all
subject specialists within their school where the common interest is the pupils and teaching and
learning.
School Principals are responsible for developing a unique school ethos within the Academy framework.
Each school has its own Senior Management team including a Pupil Welfare Manager.
At Key Stage 3 all pupils in all academy schools study the same subjects. At Key stage 4 all option
subjects are offered to all pupils regardless of which school they are in. Excelsior College is an Inclusive
6th Form that offers a wide range of Academic and Vocational courses. The College Director has a
dedicated management team and a small number of dedicated staff. Teachers from the three 11 – 16
schools teach in Excelsior College. Systems are in place to ensure consistency across the Academy in
terms of pupil progress, quality teaching and schemes of work, including cross Academy monitoring by
leaders at all levels.
There are a number of Development Leaders who are responsible for leading the development of their
subject and ensuring excellent practice is shared across all Academy schools. Development Leaders
usually teach mainly in one of the 11 – 16 schools. They also have allocated time to support and develop
the work of their entire team across all schools and are responsible for working closely with all School
Principals to ensure that standards are consistently good across all schools. Subject teams have a cross
Academy Structure to deliver consistency, high standards and share and develop excellent practice.
Every effort is made to try to ensure that the schools are equally balanced in terms of gender, ethnicity
and academic ability/ potential.
Phil Marshall
Executive Principal
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