Two of Bradford’s most prominent education leaders have been appointed to a national panel to develop young people’s learning.

Gareth Dawkins and Michele Sutton OBE will play a key role shaping the future of education for young people aged 16 to 19 as members of the new Board of the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA).

Their roles were announced by Young People’s Minister Iain Wright.

The agency is a non-departmental public body which has been set up to support local authorities to commission high quality provision for all young people, and young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, while ensuring budgetary control.

Mrs Sutton, chief executive and principal of Bradford College, has been appointed as a further education representative.

She said: “I’m looking forward to working with the other members of the YPLA board so that together we can ensure that young people have access to the full range of learning opportunities that they deserve.”

Mr Dawkins, who takes on the role of academies principal representative, has been in charge of Bradford Academy, in Teasdale Street, since 2006. He said: “It’s going to be a very important agency. Making sure the 14-19 agenda comes to fruition for young people across the country is very important.

“It’s exciting that people at our level can have an influence on the way this money is implemented.”