Dixons Allerton Academy: All-Through Education in Bradford with Character at its Core

From nursery to sixth form, Dixons Allerton Academy serves one of Bradford's most diverse communities with a distinctive philosophy centred on character development alongside academic achievement. The academy's motto captures this dual ambition: students should leave having developed good moral principles and achieved exceptional outcomes that allow ambitious life choices. Oversubscribed at both primary and secondary entry points, the school attracts families drawn to its values-led approach. The May 2024 Ofsted inspection rated the academy Requires Improvement overall, though notably the early years and sixth form provisions were both judged Good. Principal Richard Wilson leads an institution navigating significant change, including plans to close its sixth form from September 2026.

The academy occupies a purpose-built campus on Rhodesway in Allerton, a residential area of northwest Bradford. The modern buildings replaced the predecessor Rhodesway School, which joined Dixons Academies Trust in 2009 after a troubled period. That transformation, from a school once ranked among the bottom ten nationally for value added, demonstrates the trust's capacity for institutional turnaround.

Three values shape daily life here: Happiness, Industry, and Responsibility. These are not abstract ideals but operational principles embedded in behaviour policies, lesson structures, and the school's approach to pastoral care. The Family Handbook, shared with every household, establishes clear expectations from the outset. Students arrive to find a school where routines matter, where punctuality is enforced, and where consistency in approach creates predictability.

The all-through structure creates a distinctive atmosphere. Children who join the nursery at three may remain until they leave sixth form at eighteen or nineteen. This continuity allows relationships to develop over many years, and the school emphasises partnership between families and staff as fundamental to its model.

Lunch operates as family dining, an intentional choice that transforms the midday meal into an opportunity for social learning rather than mere refuelling. Primary children eat together with adults who model conversation and table manners. Such details reveal a school that thinks carefully about how character is formed through daily habits.

Primary Phase

At Key Stage 2 in 2024, 64% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This sits slightly above the England average of 62%, representing solid performance in an area where many schools serving similar demographics struggle.

Reading achieved a scaled score of 102, mathematics 103, and grammar, punctuation, and spelling 103. Each exceeds the standardised benchmark of 100. The school ranks 70th among 87 primaries in Bradford, placing it in the lower 40% of schools in England overall, though these rankings should be contextualised against the intake profile.

At the higher standard, 19% achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 8%. This suggests effective stretch for more able pupils.

Secondary Phase

GCSE outcomes tell a more complex story. The Attainment 8 score of 43.4 sits close to typical performance nationally, and the school ranks 18th among Bradford secondaries and in the middle 35% of schools in England (FindMySchool GCSE ranking). The majority of students follow the English Baccalaureate pathway.

However, the Progress 8 score of minus 0.21 indicates pupils make slightly below average progress from their Key Stage 2 starting points. The May 2024 Ofsted inspection identified curriculum gaps and inconsistent implementation as factors contributing to this picture.

Sixth Form

A-level results place the sixth form 11th in Bradford and in the lower 40% of providers in England (FindMySchool A-level ranking). In 2024, 40% of grades achieved A* to B, with 15% at A grade. No students achieved the top A* grade.

Yet the school claims to be in the top 1% nationally for progress at post-16, a figure that reflects value added rather than raw attainment. Students who arrive with modest GCSE profiles make strong gains during their time in the sixth form. Seven students applied to Oxbridge in the measurement period, with one securing a place at Cambridge.

The curriculum follows what the academy describes as a knowledge-rich approach, explicitly designed to build cultural capital and challenge social inequality. In primary, structured phonics programmes establish reading foundations, while Key Stage 2 integrates humanities and arts through high-quality texts alongside discrete teaching in science, Spanish, computing, and PE.

Secondary students in Years 7 and 8 study English, mathematics, science, Spanish, geography, history, religious education, art, design technology, music, drama, computing, and physical education. Years 9 to 11 narrow to a GCSE curriculum with core subjects plus options.

The trust's pedagogical model emphasises flipped learning and mastery, requiring students to engage with material before lessons to maximise classroom time for deeper exploration and consolidation. This approach demands significant student commitment and parental support.

The May 2024 inspection identified inconsistencies in curriculum delivery across subjects and phases. Some subjects have well-sequenced content that builds knowledge systematically; others show gaps. Leaders are addressing this, but the work is ongoing.

Class sizes in secondary average approximately sixteen students per teacher, more favourable than many state schools. This ratio should enable more personalised attention, though inspection evidence suggests this potential is not yet fully realised across all classrooms.

Primary to Secondary Transition

Most primary phase pupils progress into the secondary school, one advantage of the all-through model. The transition infrastructure exists to support this continuity, though families can choose alternative secondaries if preferred.

Post-16 Destinations

For leavers from the sixth form, 67% progressed to university in the most recent cohort data. Further education attracted 4%, apprenticeships 1%, and direct employment 6%. One student secured an Oxbridge place, demonstrating that elite university pathways remain accessible despite modest overall attainment figures.

The school emphasises that it supports students towards university, apprenticeship, or employment, treating all three as valid destinations. Work-related learning and career development feature in the wider sixth form programme, alongside university visits and one-to-one advisory sessions.

However, families considering post-16 options must note that the sixth form is scheduled to close. No new admissions will be accepted from September 2026, and the final cohort will complete their courses by July 2027. This decision follows declining enrolment numbers and financial pressures. Current Year 11 students seeking to continue their education here will need to look elsewhere; alternatives include Dixons Sixth Form Academy, a standalone sixth form college in the same trust.

Primary Entry (Reception)

Applications are coordinated through Bradford Council. There are 60 Reception places available each year. In the most recent data, 123 applications arrived for these 60 places, creating an oversubscription ratio of just over two to one. Where oversubscribed, places are allocated according to the published criteria: looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school receive priority, followed by siblings and then other applicants.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their distance from the school gates if proximity features in the criteria.

Secondary Entry (Year 7)

The published admission number for Year 7 is 245 places. Competition is stiffer here, with 600 applications for those 245 places in the most recent cycle, a ratio of 2.55 applications per place. Admissions follow Bradford's coordinated process, with the deadline falling on 31 October each year.

For families living outside Bradford, applications must be submitted through the home local authority's system.

Sixth Form Entry

Given the planned closure, sixth form admissions effectively cease from September 2026. Families with children currently in earlier year groups should factor this into their planning.

Open days typically run in autumn. Families should check the academy website or contact the admissions team directly for specific dates; telephone 01274 089890 and select option 2, or email admissions@dixonsaa.com.

The trust's emphasis on character means pastoral care is inseparable from the wider educational model. The values of Happiness, Industry, and Responsibility frame how behaviour is managed, how achievements are celebrated, and how difficulties are addressed.

The Family Handbook establishes expectations transparently. Same-day corrections (detentions of up to 90 minutes) occur daily, addressing behaviour issues immediately rather than allowing problems to accumulate. This approach will suit families who value clarity and consistency; others may find it inflexible.

The May 2024 inspection identified pastoral care and personal development as areas requiring improvement. Inspectors noted that some aspects of the wider programme were underdeveloped and that not all students benefited equally from what was offered. The early years provision, rated Good, demonstrates that effective pastoral support exists within the school; the challenge is extending this quality consistently across all phases.

Sport, music, and drama are identified as particular strengths of the extracurricular programme. In secondary, Years 7 to 11 access a varied programme designed to enrich the core curriculum. The Dixons Cup Athletics event showcased student talent recently, with the team claiming second place overall and collecting nineteen medals across the events.

The academy has a performance hall with seating for 224, used for drama productions, music concerts, and conferences. This dedicated space supports a programme of public performances throughout the year.

Primary provision includes breakfast club running from 8:00am to 8:30am, with limited places available. After-school clubs operate on a termly basis at no charge, run by staff and local providers. Activities change each term, offering variety across the year.

The outdoor learning focus in primary aims to create joyful memories of childhood. The school consciously seeks to balance academic rigour with experiences that allow children to explore, play, and develop beyond the classroom walls.

The school day varies by phase. Primary doors open at 8:30am, with the day starting officially at 8:45am and finishing at 3:15pm. Total compulsory hours reach 32.5 weekly.

Secondary students may arrive from 7:45am, with the day starting at 8:15am. Monday to Thursday, the school day finishes at 3:30pm; Fridays bring an earlier finish at 2:35pm (approximately 2:30pm). This earlier Friday finish gives staff dedicated time for professional development and collaborative planning.

Breakfast club runs for primary pupils with limited spaces; booking is required. Wraparound care details for secondary students are not published; families needing after-school provision should contact the school directly to discuss arrangements.

The academy sits on Rhodesway in Allerton. Public transport links serve the area, though specific details should be confirmed with Bradford's travel planning services.

Requires Improvement rating. The May 2024 Ofsted judgement identified genuine areas for development in curriculum implementation, personal development, and behaviour. A monitoring visit in May 2025 has since taken place; families should review this report for evidence of progress. The early years and sixth form were both judged Good, indicating capability exists within the school.

Sixth form closure. No new students will be admitted from September 2026, with full closure by July 2027. Families with children in primary or lower secondary phases must plan for alternative post-16 provision. Dixons Sixth Form Academy offers one option within the trust.

High expectations culture. The academy enforces routines consistently, including same-day detentions for behaviour issues. Families who value clear boundaries and predictable consequences will find this reassuring; those seeking a more flexible approach may find it constraining.

All-through commitment. The model works best for families prepared to commit long-term. The advantages of continuity diminish if families move schools between phases.

Dixons Allerton Academy offers a distinctive proposition: values-led education delivered through an all-through model in a community where such provision is relatively rare. The trust's track record of institutional transformation is evident in the school's journey since 2009, even if current inspection evidence shows more work remains.

Results are solid if unspectacular, with primary outcomes slightly above average and sixth form progress notably strong despite modest raw attainment. The planned sixth form closure represents a significant change that families must factor into decisions.

Best suited to Bradford families who value character development alongside academic achievement, who appreciate clear structures and consistent expectations, and who are prepared to engage actively with the school's partnership model. The main challenge is not securing a place, though competition exists at both entry points, but rather navigating the school's current improvement journey and the imminent changes to post-16 provision.

Families comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.