A Bradford comprehensive was today celebrating A-level results which ranked it among the top 50 in the country.

Dixons City Academy has become one of the district's top-performing state schools since it was launched in 1990.

Now, its 140 sixth form pupils have added to its already excellent reputation by recording the best A-level results this summer.

An impressive 60 per cent of all pupils gained at least an A or B grade with youngsters also achieving the academy's highest-ever A-level points score of 341.4 - placing the academy 46th among comprehensive schools nationwide.

Principal Nick Weller said: "We are very pleased with the school's best-ever A-level results in its history.

"Staff and students deserve to be congratulated. The teaching is better too."

Pupils also notched-up an overall pass rate of 99.09 per cent.

Sixth former Chris Wilkes, who gained A grades in physics, maths, history and general studies as well as a B in further maths, said the secret to the school's success was its ability to "bring the best" out of every pupil.

Eighteen-year-old Chris, of Wyke, is now set to study physics and maths at Durham University from the autumn. He added: "I am absolutely chuffed. It has been unbelievably hard work but it has paid off.

"I am keeping my options open for the future but I would recommend the school to anyone. It will bring the best out of anyone."

Rachel Hesselwood, 18, of Shipley, gained straight As in psychology, geography, maths and general studies. Rachel, who has secured a place at the University of York to read psychology, said her time at Dixons had been "great fun". "I have loved every minute of it."

Yani Berdeni, 18, of Eccleshill, has also landed a place at York where he will study for a masters degree in maths. "I don't particularly like maths," he added. "But I am really pleased - I shall be celebrating!"

Yani gained five A grades in physics, maths, further maths, general studies and history.

Dixons, based on Ripley Street, West Bowling and sponsored by Britain's largest electrical retailer, is now heavily over-subscribed. It received a total of 712 applications this year for 165 Year 7 places from September.

Prospective pupils must sit an exam to enter. However, staff ensure an all-ability intake by selecting broadly equal numbers of students from different achievement bands.

The school opened in 1990 and was one of the first wave of schools which aspired to the academy ethos later defined by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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