Educational institutions across Bradford will need to “step up” their game following the introduction of a pioneering free school, the secretary of state said yesterday.

The King’s Science Academy will be one of only eight free schools in the country to open in September, and will be independent from Council control.

And speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus, Education Secretary Michael Gove said the introduction of the new academy in Northside Road, Lidget Green, should raise aspirations and standards for other education establishments across the district.

“The are already some fantastic schools in Bradford and the Dixons Academy is one of the best schools in the country,” said Mr Gove.

“I think the real thing the free school will bring is a raising of aspirations.

The Minister was in the district to visit Ilkley Grammar School and Ashlands Primary School in Ilkley and Bingley Grammar School.

Both grammar schools are exploring becoming academies, with Ilkley already receiving Government backing to make the switch.

Mr Gove admitted the school had been let down in the past, including the scrapping of the Building Schools for the Future programme, but said he believed becoming an academy would offer the school the opportunity to find solutions to its oversubscription problems and cramped facilities. At Ashlands, Mr Gove took part in a French lesson and found himself involved in a game of pass the parcel.

“It’s just as well it wasn’t in German or Spanish or it could have been even more embarrassing,” he said.