Post by carol on Jan 12, 2016 10:47:18 GMT
A great Gareth mention in this write-up. 
love Carol xx
A PIONEERING school in the centre of Bradford is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a major concert and former pupils are invited to take part in the celebrations.
Dixons City Academy opened its doors in September 1990, and since the start of the academic year the school has been marking the year with a number of celebratory events.
The big event will be an evening of dance, drama and music at St George's Hall in March, reflecting the strong musical links the school has had over the years.
As part of the anniversary, the school is also asking for former pupils to get in touch to share their memories of the school, which will be used to make up an anniversary newsletter.
One of the school's most famous alumni is pop superstar Gareth Gates, million selling pop and theatre star. Other former pupils have found success in education, IT and other businesses.
The school opened as Dixons City Technology College in Ripley Street in 1990, among the first 15 of the new style schools to be opened under a new policy by the then Conservative government. They were free from council control, and specialised in technology based subjects.
Its name comes from the school's initial partnership with Dixons store chain.
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It converted into an academy in 2005, being re-named as Dixons City Academy, and is the founder school of the Dixons Academy Trust. It is now one of the best performing schools in the city, and is the second most over subscribed school in the district.
A number of other Dixons academies have opened in recent years, modelled after the success of the City school, and the chain recently took over Kings Science Academy, now know as Dixons Kings Academy.
In 2014 Dixons Trinity Academy became the first secondary free school in the country to get an Outstanding Ofsted report. There are currently eight Dixons schools in the district, and despite being outside of council control, the trust works closely with other local schools as part of the Bradford Partnership.
There have been three principals in the school's quarter century. First was the school's founder John Lewis, who was knighted in 2004. He was followed by Nick Weller, who is now the executive principal for the Dixons Trust and was knighted last year.
The current principal is Shirley Watson. She told the Telegraph & Argus: "At the time the school was controversial. It was out of local authority control and it took on pupils from 11 to 18, when the district's schools had a middle school structure.
"When it opened it was separate from other Bradford schools, but in the years since we have started working closer with other schools.
"The Dixons chain has gone on to great things, and it has all stemmed from this school, we're very proud of that.
"We have had music as our speciality before, and that is why we have chosen a music event to celebrate the anniversary. Music has always been an integral part of the culture here.
"We have contacted as many former students as we have been able to. We're trying to get as many former students as possible to take part in the music event."
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Anyone who wants to contribute any memories of the school can email them to Jo Priestley on j.priestley@dixonsca.com
The celebration concert takes place on Saturday March 12 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by calling 01274 432000.
love Carol xx
A PIONEERING school in the centre of Bradford is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a major concert and former pupils are invited to take part in the celebrations.
Dixons City Academy opened its doors in September 1990, and since the start of the academic year the school has been marking the year with a number of celebratory events.
The big event will be an evening of dance, drama and music at St George's Hall in March, reflecting the strong musical links the school has had over the years.
As part of the anniversary, the school is also asking for former pupils to get in touch to share their memories of the school, which will be used to make up an anniversary newsletter.
One of the school's most famous alumni is pop superstar Gareth Gates, million selling pop and theatre star. Other former pupils have found success in education, IT and other businesses.
The school opened as Dixons City Technology College in Ripley Street in 1990, among the first 15 of the new style schools to be opened under a new policy by the then Conservative government. They were free from council control, and specialised in technology based subjects.
Its name comes from the school's initial partnership with Dixons store chain.
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It converted into an academy in 2005, being re-named as Dixons City Academy, and is the founder school of the Dixons Academy Trust. It is now one of the best performing schools in the city, and is the second most over subscribed school in the district.
A number of other Dixons academies have opened in recent years, modelled after the success of the City school, and the chain recently took over Kings Science Academy, now know as Dixons Kings Academy.
In 2014 Dixons Trinity Academy became the first secondary free school in the country to get an Outstanding Ofsted report. There are currently eight Dixons schools in the district, and despite being outside of council control, the trust works closely with other local schools as part of the Bradford Partnership.
There have been three principals in the school's quarter century. First was the school's founder John Lewis, who was knighted in 2004. He was followed by Nick Weller, who is now the executive principal for the Dixons Trust and was knighted last year.
The current principal is Shirley Watson. She told the Telegraph & Argus: "At the time the school was controversial. It was out of local authority control and it took on pupils from 11 to 18, when the district's schools had a middle school structure.
"When it opened it was separate from other Bradford schools, but in the years since we have started working closer with other schools.
"The Dixons chain has gone on to great things, and it has all stemmed from this school, we're very proud of that.
"We have had music as our speciality before, and that is why we have chosen a music event to celebrate the anniversary. Music has always been an integral part of the culture here.
"We have contacted as many former students as we have been able to. We're trying to get as many former students as possible to take part in the music event."
Share article
Anyone who wants to contribute any memories of the school can email them to Jo Priestley on j.priestley@dixonsca.com
The celebration concert takes place on Saturday March 12 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by calling 01274 432000.
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