A BRADFORD secondary school has been celebrating after picking up a prize at a prestigious teaching awards.

Dixons Trinity Academy, based in Trinity Road, Little Horton, was named as a winner at the 2018 Pearson Teaching Awards.

The school triumphed over thousands of nominations from around the UK to claim the ‘Making a Difference’ prize.

The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual event which celebrations the work and achievements of exceptional teachers, and this year marked the 20th anniversary of the awards.

It was set up to recognise the life-changing impact inspirational teachers can have on young people.

Dixons Trinity will receive its award alongside fellow winners at an awards ceremony that will be held in London on October 21.

Success in the Pearson Teaching Awards has also made Dixons Trinity eligible for one of 12 Gold Plato Awards, which are recognised as the UK’s ‘Oscars for Teachers’.

Dixons Trinity is one of a shortlist of schools that receive the Silver Award, before finding out if they have won the Gold Plato Award in October.

The award is a marker for the standards set by the school since its foundation in 2012, and follows on from its Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2014.

Half of the student’s at Dixons Trinity come from the five poorest Council wards in Bradford, with a high proportion of students eligible for support through the pupil premium, and more than one in five receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities.

Jenny Thompson, principal at Dixons Trinity, said: “At Trinity we do whatever it takes to deliver our mission.

“The academy ensured that every student succeeded at university, or a real alternative, thrived in a top job and had a great life.”

“We have no shortcuts and no excuses. This summer, our first set of GCSEs delivered outstanding results – a testament to the commitment the children, their families and the whole community have shared.”

Last year, 70 per cent of students achieved a Grade 5 or above in Maths and English in their GCSE exams, and the school also ranks highly for the progress of its students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Looking beyond academic success, Ms Thompson added: “Perhaps the most important figures are that 100 per cent of our students are proud to attend Dixons Trinity Academy and 100 per cent of our families would recommend us.

“The team are exceptional – students, families and staff work together to deliver exceptional outcomes that really change life chances.”

Dixons Trinity is not the only school in the city which will be celebrating at the awards later this year.

A long-serving teacher at Killinghall Primary School, in Killinghall Road, Bradford Moor, has been named as a winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gillian Edge, co-headteacher at the school, will receive the award for her 14 years of service at the school.

In a newsletter sent to parents, she said: “I am so honoured to receive a Silver Award in the Lifetime Achievement Category from The Pearson Teaching Awards.

“I am so proud to receive this recognition and would like to thank everyone in our school community for your kind words and support over the last 14 years.”