THE executive principal of one of Bradford's biggest schools has died.

Gareth Dawkins, who had been at the helm of Bradford Academy since it opened in 2007, died yesterday after suffering two major heart attacks while on a break in Suffolk.

The school has paid tribute to Mr Dawkins, 58, saying he was the "dominant influence" on the academy and a man of "great enthusiasm, intellect and skill."

For the past 30 years he had worked in schools serving predominantly inner city communities in Leeds and Bradford. 

A statement from Howard Astin, the chairman of governors, said: "It is with great shock and regret that we announce the sudden death of Mr Gareth Dawkins the Executive Principal of Bradford Academy.

"He suffered two major heart attacks whilst in Suffolk during the half term break and died early evening on Sunday.

"Gareth has been the dominant influence since Bradford Academy’s inception in 2007 and has driven the Academy ensuring it has become a consistently successful school delivering results that have enabled the children of the BD4 and BD5 areas of Bradford to prosper.

"The Academy has been sponsored by Bradford Diocese, now the Diocese of Leeds, and he has engendered a thriving Christian ethos at the heart of Bradford Academy’s vision and values. He was a well-loved man of deep spiritual commitment and that has shaped the guiding principles of the academy.

"The academy, which took over the site of Cathedral Community College in East Bowling from Bradford Council, was one of the first academies in Bradford and has grown to be an ‘all-through’ academy with children attending from nursery through primary, through secondary to a large post 16 provision.

"Gareth was a man of great enthusiasm, intellect and skill and has built a very successful staff team over the years. He was passionate in wanting to see children from all backgrounds have every educational opportunity possible and this has seen so many leave the academy with confidence and excitement for their life ahead.

"Gareth was also on a number of national educational bodies advising departments with his wealth of experience. He was well respected in Bradford itself with a history in our city spanning many years. He will be so missed by so many."

Mr Dawkins was also deputy head at the old Greenhead School in Keighley for five years until 1999.

He then returned to the now University Academy Keighley, in January 2011, as joint executive principal.

UAK principal Bernie Addison said she was "deeply saddened" and shocked at the news.

"Gareth was known to many in the Keighley community," she added.

"He was a man of great integrity and commitment to educational standards in the town."

Nadira Mirza, chairman of the governors at UAK, said the academy's sincere condolences went to the family.

She added: "Gareth was a well-known, wise and valued colleague who will be sorely missed by governors, staff, students and families in Keighley."

Keighley West councillor Adrian Farley, a fellow governor, said he was "absolutely devastated".

"I had known Gareth for several years and his death is a huge loss to the district," he added.

"My thanks go to him for his stewardship of UAK through turbulent times. He brought a sense of measure to the school.

"I'm grateful, as are staff and other governors, for what he did."

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “We are very saddened to hear that one of our longstanding headteachers, Gareth Dawkins, has passed away.

"I knew him personally. He was genuinely dedicated and passionate about making a real difference to raising education standards in the Bradford district and made a huge contribution to education for a number of years, bringing a wealth of expertise and great leadership qualities to many aspects of school life. He was particularly involved in the partnership of schools and was a long serving member of the Schools Forum.

"Gareth made many friends here in Bradford and will be sorely missed. We would like to express our sympathies to Gareth's family at this very difficult time.”

Judith Kirk, the council’s Deputy Director for Children’s Services, said: “I am very saddened to learn that Gareth Dawkins has passed away. This is a very tragic loss for the district.

“Gareth has worked extremely hard, over many years, and has made a considerable and positive impact on the lives of many young people.

“He will be sadly missed as a headteacher and a colleague who always contributed to raising the aspirational achievement of young people throughout the district.

“My deepest sympathies are with Gareth’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

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