Bradford’s One in a Million free school had its official opening yesterday.

Lord Nash, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, performed the honours.

The school, based at the Bantams Business Centre in Bradford City FC’s former club shop, has 60 new year seven pupils who started their term in September.

Joining Lord Nash were parents, students, representatives from Bradford City FC, David Ward MP and Bradford Councillor Ralph Berry.

After observing an afternoon of lessons, Lord Nash unveiled a special plaque housed in the school’s atrium building. Jez Stockill, the school’s principal designate, said that everyone who has contributed to the One in a Million story so far had been invited to the event.

“This is a very exciting day, and the culmination of a long and important journey,” he said.

“It has been a very positive event, and goes towards cementing our vision for a small secondary school in Bradford.”

Coun Berry, the council's executive member for education, has previously described himself as being “quite cynical” about free schools, a policy which is championed by current Education Secretary Michael Gove.