Dixons Allerton Academy building funding clinched (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Dixons Allerton Academy building funding clinched

8:40am Saturday 17th December 2011 in News By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter

An artist’s impression of the new academy in Allerton

Final approval has been given on funding for a new through-age academy building for Dixons Allerton Academy, giving the green light to construction starting next month.

The £32 million project includes £5m of funding from Bradford Council which will pay for the primary school part of the campus. The funding arrangements have now been confirmed by Partnerships for Schools on behalf of the Department for Education.

It will replace the Rhodesway School building occupied by Dixons Allerton Academy and will cater for 1,886 children from nursery through to secondary age. This includes 26 nursery places, 420 primary and pre-school places and 1,440 secondary places.

It will cover 14,600 square metres on land adjacent to the existing school buildings in Oaks Lane. The school will remain open during construction but will be demolished when the new buildings are completed, ready to open in September 2013.

The old site will then make way for sports facilities, which will also be available for local community use.

Dixons Allerton Academy, which is sponsored by Dixons City Academy, focuses on health and science as its specialism.

Principal Rachel Kidd said: “I’m delighted that we have got the final go-ahead. A lot of work has gone into getting us to this point and I’d like to thank everyone involved.”

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: "It’s excellent news that we can start building work. The new academy will be more than just a school: it will be a resource that is open to the whole community. Its facilities will contribute to people’s lives by improving health and life chances through education, care, work and training.”