Bradford Forster Academy, a new secondary Church of England Academy, opened its doors this week, and Bishop Toby came to bless the school and give each child a bible.
This is the second CofE secondary academy in Bradford and the seventh CofE secondary school in the diocese. Initially just for 140 year 7 pupils, it will grow to provide education for 1050 11-16 year old pupils by 2019.
Bishop Toby said, “I was genuinely inspired by my visit to the school. What struck me is that, already in the first week, there’s a very strong sense of community and every single child being valued. Their singing was full of joy and confidence, and the sense of aspiration and expectation gives me great hope, particularly at a time when education in Bradford is under great pressure.”
The Principal, Diane Pickering, has worked with the Academy sponsor, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, to get the school ready for opening. She now leads a team of 30 teachers and support staff. She says, ‘It’s wonderful to finally see the Trust vision for the Academy become a reality. We all feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to be part of the building of this community and are very much looking forward to the next five years’
The school will hold an official launch next April.
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 & the Dales.
BDAT currently supports three Church of England Primary Academies, St Oswald’s in Great Horton, Christ Church Academy in Shipley and St Philip’s in Girlington. Bradford Forster Academy is the fourth school and first secondary Academy to join the Trust.