BRADFORD will receive more than £11million in government funding to raise the area’s education standards, under new plans announced today.

The district was designated an “opportunity area” last year, meaning it would share a pot of government funding to boost schools and promote social mobility for young people.

The full amount Bradford will receive, and what it will go towards, has now been announced.

The work will focus on four priority areas: strengthening school leadership and the quality of teaching, improving literacy in primary schools, broadening aspirations and support young people in to rewarding careers and using “evidence-based research to remove barriers to learning.”

Plans include investing in literacy projects, careers education and advice and additional support for vulnerable young people. Teachers and school leaders will also get a boost in career development training.

The Opportunity Area programme will be delivered by a partnership between the DfE and Bradford Council, and the new plan was developed by a partnership board with representatives from Bradford schools, the council, charities and the private sector.

Bradford is one of 12 Opportunity Areas across the country which are each receiving a £6m share of £72 million.

The district will also benefit from investment of up to £5 million over two years through the Essential Life Skills programme, to help disadvantaged young people develop skills like emotional wellbeing and employability.

As part of the programme a Research School has been opened in Bradford, being run by Dixons Academies, which will work to share evidence-based research of what works in classrooms to help raise standards across the district.

Michael Jameson, the Council’s Strategic Director for Children’s Services and Opportunity Area board member said: “The launch of today’s plans is very good news for Bradford. As an Opportunity Area, Bradford is set to benefit from major investment to boost social mobility. This is now matched by detailed plans of action which will help to raise standards and improve results in our schools, support the recruitment, retention and development of our teachers and improve the life chances and career opportunities of our young people. By working together the district can make a real difference in promoting social mobility in Bradford.”

Coun Imran Khan, Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “This is an exciting and innovative plan which can make a real difference to the lives of young people in Bradford. Promoting social mobility in the district is very important. We want children growing up in Bradford to access the best possible education to open up opportunities for them for the rest of their lives.”