Here are all the new schools and colleges opening in Bradford in September 2019

When New College Bradford and Dixons Sixth Form Academy open for the 2019/20 academic year, they will give students finishing their GCSEs a fresh choice on how to continue their studies.

The changes to sixth-form provision has been described as one of the biggest shake ups for education in Bradford in recent memory.

More than 1,000 applications had been received by the end of 2018 for just 600 places at New College, which will be based in a brand new facility in Nelson Street on the outskirts of the city centre. When full, it will cater for around 1,200 students offering a variety of courses.

Dixons Sixth Form Academy will be located in the former Douglas Mill, based in Bowling Old Lane, also close to the city centre when it too opens in September.

When it opens it will take in 330 students, with an eventual capacity of 880, and Dixons said it has already had almost double the number of applications as there are places available.

This over-subscription for places at the two new colleges is positive news for post-16 education in the city, but what does it mean for traditional sixth forms at schools across the district?

Bradford Council said sixth forms at Queensbury School, Beckfoot Upper Heaton, Appleton Academy and University Academy Keighley have all closed in the past three years, and a further six sixth forms have held or are holding consultations over the proposed closure of their sixth forms.

Dixons Academies Trust confirmed that with the opening of its Sixth Form Academy, the sixth forms at Dixons City and Dixons McMillan, and also serve Dixons Trinity and Dixons Kings academies. A consultation is also ongoing on the closure of Dixons Cottingley Academy's Sixth Form – the former Samuel Lister Academy.

However, of Bradford’s 33 secondary schools, 25 still operate a sixth form.

Sir Nick Weller, chief executive of Dixons Academies Trust, said: “We are very much looking forward to the opening of the new Dixons Sixth Form Academy this coming August at Douglas Mill.

“Dixons Sixth Form Academy will replace our provision at Dixons City and Dixons McMillan, doubling our current capacity. The Sixth Form will also serve Dixons Trinity and Dixons Kings, as well as students from other local schools.

“We have had more than 600 applications for the first 330 student places on opening, and this number is still rising. Our senior team are all appointed and applications for teaching posts are very strong.

“With two of our academies having topped the Post 16 league tables in Bradford this year, we look forward to transforming the life chances of even more young people in our new, larger, dedicated facility.

“Now too we shall also be able to offer the broader range of courses and wider range of extra-curricular activities than a smaller school-based sixth form can support.”

Douglas Mill is currently undergoing a major conversion project, and a new sports hall is being constructed.

Mark Rothery, principal of Dixons Sixth Form, added: “Dixons Sixth Form is a new and exciting development.

“We will be developing the very best post-16 environment to help students achieve truly aspirational outcomes, both in terms of A level grades and personal development.”

Councillor Imran Khan, executive member for education, employment and skills, welcomed the two new sixth form colleges.

He said: “The world of work is changing rapidly and our post-16 education needs to reflect this with more choice and quality for both A level and vocational training.

“This is why the Council worked with secondary headteachers and businesses to develop a plan for Post 16 education and training which we launched in 2016.

“We are already starting to see the benefits of this. Since 2016, A level outcomes have closed the gap on the national average by a grade.

“We hope the two new centres, who are both part of trusts with a track record of delivering outstanding provision, will accelerate this.

“But it’s important that the government plays its part by providing the right level of funding. This is about investing in young people, so they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get a good quality job.”

Cllr John Pennington, leader of the Conservative Group in Bradford Council, said it was one of the biggest shake ups to Bradford’s education he could remember.

He said: “The new colleges offer more choice for our young people, and these changes are tremendous.

“It will have a knock-on effect for our colleges and university too, and I hope students grasp these opportunities with both hands.

“It’s is great these trusts are investing in Bradford’s young people, as they are the future of the country.

“The modern facilities in great locations will also hopefully make our students more eager to learn.

“I would never say no to further investment from the Government either.”

It’s not just in post-16 education where change is afoot in Bradford.

Two new secondary schools, a boys’ school and a girls’ school are both set to open in September.

Star Academies Trust is opening its Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy on the site of the former Morrisons headquarters in Thornton Road, Girlington, in September.

The school will have a capacity of 800 students, and will open with 120 students in Year 7. However, for the first two years students will be taught in temporary classrooms and eat in a temporary dining area while the school is built.

It will be run as a Muslim faith school, but Star Academies said it will be open to students of all faiths, and is the sixth school and third secondary school Star Academies will run in the district.

The former home of Education Bradford and Bradford Council’s Children’s Services will also be brought back into use, as Bronte Girls’ Academy.

The Future House site in Bolling Road, Broomfields, will become an 600-place girls-only school, run by the Feversham Education Trust.