Bishop Nick spend a morning at Bradford Forster Academy this week - a new secondary school and the third C of E secondary school in Bradford. It has begun with 150 year 7 students, and will work up to five year groups in 2019.
Bishop Nick observed an RE lesson, spoke in Collective Worship and met staff and students. He said, “Bradford Forster Academy is a school full of hope; it has a unique opportunity to create a new ethos, and to provide a Christian environment for effective learning and social development.”
Tessa Mason, Chair of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, says, "We were delighted to be able to show Bishop Nick how far the school has progressed in such a short time. We’re very pleased that it’s already become a central part of the community and are grateful for the support of our parents and partners in helping us make a really excellent start.”
Principal Diane Pickering says, “The vision for Bradford Forster Academy is to further raise the hopes and aspirations of students by generating self-belief and confidence. Year 7 are a talented group of young people willing to embrace the range of learning opportunities that are available to them, and our focus on high quality teaching has seen the students make good academic progress.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT) was set up in 2012 to support and sponsor Church of England Academies in Bradford on behalf of the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales. We provide a network of support and challenge, so that working together we can achieve our vision of improved outcomes and results for our children and young people.
BDAT currently sponsors three C of E Primary Academies, St Oswald’s in Great Horton, Christ Church Academy in Shipley and St Philip’s in Girlington. We also support two secondary academies Bradford Forster Academy and Immanuel College which joined the Trust in the 2015-16 academic year. By the end of 2016 we aim to have grown to support nine open Academies. Our rapid growth is in response to both the emerging political agenda encouraging schools to consider academisation, as set out in the Education White paper “Education Excellence Everywhere” and as a result of schools requesting permission to join the Trust.
For further information contact:
Carol Dewhurst, CEO, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, 01274 909 120, www.bdat-academies.org