A MAGNIFICENT multi-million-pound building transformation from old mill to state-of-the-art sixth form school is almost complete.

The new Dixons Sixth Form Academy, which is based in Douglas Mill, off Bowling Old Lane, will see its main building complete in full at the end of January.

And it's two months ahead of schedule too.

The T&A took a tour round the new school, which has blended the original mill's standout features with a modern, but warm touch.

A multitude of sleek, white pillars and the factory's original brickwork are juxtaposed with laboratories and modern lighting.

Not that the new sixth form needs much help on that front, as a multitude of large windows spread throughout the building gives a light, airy feeling to it.

Initially building works began at Christmas time, back in 2018.

The school then welcomed its first ever cohort of students in August 2019 - a total of 350 pupils.

At that time, access was only available to the lower ground - where the café is - ground and floors.

But development has progressed rapidly, to the point where during this term the second and third floors have been fully functional, with the final fourth floor also partly in use.

David Jowle, Communications Manager for Dixons Academies Trust, admitted adapting and using the available space to their advantage had been key to getting where they are.

He said: "It's exciting for our students. At three stages of the year, different bits of the building gets released to them.

"We've gone through the transition from being pushed for space to having a lot of space."

Mr Jowle and Dixons Sixth Form Academy Headmaster, Mark Rothery, showed a number of rooms during the tour.

One, a physics classroom which can also facilitate other science subjects, is currently doubling up as an art room.

This is while the subject's proper home - on the fourth floor - is finished off.

Each above-ground level features an open study area for students to sit and work during their "study periods".

This includes a silent library area on the ground floor, while the café on the lower ground floor can be used as an area for pupils to study in a more relaxed environment.

It's about developing a culture of independence, while building towards a student's future career goals.

Mr Rothery, said: "It originally opened as a worsted mill for wool, at a time when Bradford was in its heyday.

"It didn't make anything, but it was generally used to house things, to distribute and package things before it went off.

"Finishing it, then giving it off around the world.

"That kind of parallels what we want here.

"Students can finish off their education at Dixons Sixth Form Academy and then hopefully we can send them off to universities and around the world.

"There will be those off to Cambridge and Oxford, but also to Manchester and other places.

"The aim is for it not to be a school or a university, we want a genuine halfway house.

"It has the hallmarks of a school, with parents evenings and the pastoral care.

"But, they're taught in a uni way and everything is available online."

Currently, Dixons Sixth Form Academy offers students the choice of 35 level three courses, 30 of which are A-Level courses.

Many of the new sixth form's cohort came directly from the neighbouring Dixons City Academy, but a large proportion come from schools right across Bradford and the district.

During the tour, the T&A also got to see a set of three classrooms which can be turned into a full conference room, or a mini exam hall, through the manipulation of concertina walls.

The jewel in the crown though was the school's theatre area, which is based at the back of the fourth floor.

There is seating here which folds outwards, as well as room for chairs.

Mr Rothery says this space will be used for drama classes, the school's short 10-minute lectures on varied topics, and exams.

Experienced staff are also a key part of this overall project.

Mr Rothery said: "We've invested very heavily in experienced staff, stable staff.

"I's a genuine attraction for a lot of people - joining us to build something, to be part of something from the very beginning.

"We're advertising for next year's teachers - when you open a sixth form you've got two years to think about, but when you open a school staffing is for five years.

"It was visiting people in schools in Leeds and Doncaster a lot of them said you don't need to worry about staffing - people will want to come to you.

"It's a mix of staff from inside and outside of the trust."

Harshal is a student part of this very first cohort.

A hopeful architect, he studies art, geography and maths at the sixth form.

Harshal said: "I like being a student here.

"I’ve got a lot more freedom than my last school. The way we get study periods, it allows us to study in our own way.

"The way we’re taught is a lot more free, we’re taught to get independent."

The T&A even got a chance to get a sneak peek at the small, hidden space on the fifth floor, which is to be used as extra storage room.

It is right at the top of the building and offers fantastic views across Bradford through porthole-style windows.

Much like the picturesque landscapes that can be seen from the building, this school's vision is clearcut.

The next step will be for the renovation of the site's coaching hall into a sports hall, with changing facilities, to be completed.

The school will also take on a cohort of 450 students for the next academic year.