A MULTI-MILLION pound sixth form has been completed on time despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Dixons Sixth Form Academy, on Bowling Old Lane, was handed to the Department for Education (DfE) recently after less one-and-a-half years since building began.

The initial works on the £13.3 million project started in December 2018.

Douglas Mill, a Grade-II listed mill and coach house building built in the 1840s, formed the base of the development, which included a mixture of refurbishment and new build.

Enough of the main building was complete for the sixth form to welcome its first-ever cohort of students in August 2019 - a total of 350 pupils.

This area of the site was fully finished at the start of the year - six weeks ahead of schedule - before the sports hall and coach hall were completed in spring 2020.

The Academy - which is run by Dixons Academies Trust - will now provide for 880 pupils in total.

The project was undertaken by construction and infrastructure firm, Kier.

Wesley Davies, Executive Principal for Dixons Sixth Form Academy, said: “I would like to thank Kier and the team who worked on the Dixons Sixth Form Academy project.

"Their commitment, professionalism and sheer hard work was exemplary.

"The team responded well to any school request and ensured we have a school we are all proud of.

"The project was not without its challenges, but these were always met with positivity, pragmatism and commitment to high quality outcomes."

These challenges included dealing with mineshafts, disproportionate collapse mitigation and also designing a dining area within a basement space.

Converting the old coach house into a state-of-the-art sports hall was particularly difficult, given it was unoccupied for 20 years.

The T&A took a sneak-peek tour of the main building back in January.

The refurbishment successfully blended the original mill's standout features with a modern, but warm touch.

A multitude of sleek, white pillars and the factory's original brickwork are juxtaposed with laboratories and modern lighting.

Read more about that here...

The project has also won a Considerate Constructors Award, which recognises the commitment to being considerate to the communities in which Kier works.

Phil McDowell, Regional Director for Kier Regional Building Northern, said: “We are thrilled to hand this project back to the DfE earlier than scheduled to assist the trust in promoting the new sixth form to their potential new pupils and parents and delivering much needed extra spaces for the current pupils.

"Construction of the project was not without its challenges, specifically in the coach house which hadn’t been occupied for 20 years.

"However, it is testament to the project team that is has been completed to a high quality and ahead of schedule."

Kier is currently delivering a number of schemes across Yorkshire and earlier this year, it was appointed by Bradford Council as preferred bidder to deliver one of Bradford’s biggest regeneration projects - the £21m market redevelopment programme on Darley Street.

The project will provide Bradford city centre with modern market facilities and is part of a wider strategy to help support local trade and revitalise the area.