One of Bradford’s newest academies was officially opened with the help of a special celebrity guest today.

Dixons Allerton Academy was formally reopened in refurbished buildings of the now defunct Rhodesway School with the help of Yorkshire celebrity chef James Martin.

He joined some 150 other guests for the event and led a cooking competition and display for students called DAA Gets Cooking.

New and former Rhodesway pupils, aged 11 to 19, filed into the school for the start of term last week and welcomed representatives of community organisations and businesses for the official opening.

Dixons City Academy, in West Bowling, Bradford, has sponsored the school in Oaks Lane.

Nick Weller, principal at Dixons, said: “We want our second academy in Bradford to be a learning resource for the whole Allerton community, meeting the needs of local residents and businesses, as well as those of students and their families.”

Rachel Kidd, the new academy’s principal, was enthusiastic about the school’s specialism in health and science. She said: “This specialism will help our students to understand how what they learn is applied to the real world of work. It also has relevance outside the classroom across all areas of school life, encouraging the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and physical activity, coupled with good citizenship.

“We will encourage young people to consider careers within health or care settings, or in science-related industries. The NHS is a major local employer and the academy is located close to Bradford Royal Infirmary.”

The school’s existing home is only temporary. In early 2012 students and staff will switch to a £29 million building with funding from Bradford Council’s Building Schools for Future programme.

It will incorporate a primary school to ease competition for places in the area and a nursery school is also being considered for the site. Should a nursery be included, the academy would then cater for children aged from three upwards.

Dixons Allerton Academy is one of two new academies which have opened their doors in Bradford for the first time.

Wyke Manor School and High Fernley Primary have closed and were replaced by Appleton Academy, sponsored by Bradford College. It too has initially opened in existing school buildings before pupils and staff move into a state-of-the-art building in 2011.