New College Bradford

About New College Bradford

New College Bradford is a 16-19 state sixth form in Bradford, and while the data doesn’t include a parentView recommend percentage or an oversubscription ratio, the school’s capacity of 1,200 places and its single-site sixth-form focus give a clear sense of its role in the local area. It’s a mixed, non-religious secondary that draws students from across Bradford and beyond, offering a dedicated Sixth Form Centre alongside a broad range of facilities including a theatre, swimming pool, sports hall, and art studios. The school also runs an extensive programme of clubs and sports, from football and rugby to Model UN, debate, and coding, which suggests a lively extracurricular offer. With no nursery provision and no boarding, it’s squarely aimed at post-16 students looking for a large, well-equipped state college environment rather than a smaller school or a private option.

Academically, the most recent 2023/24 A-level results show a mixed picture. The school achieved a points per entry of 31.5, equivalent to a grade C, and the average grade across the best three A-levels was also a C, with 30.6 points. However, the value-added score of -0.1 places the school in the ‘Below average’ progress banding, meaning students on average made slightly less progress than similar students nationally. The proportion of entries achieving AAB or higher was 3.7%, which is modest. For context, Bradford’s local authority average Progress 8 score (for GCSE-age students) is -0.19, so New College Bradford’s post-16 value-added is broadly in line with the local trend, though not ahead of it. The school sits below top local performers like Dixons Trinity Academy, which is rated Outstanding and is less than a kilometre away, but it remains a significant option for students seeking a large sixth form with a wide subject choice.

For families considering New College Bradford, the key practical points are its size and specialism. As a dedicated 16-19 institution, it offers a focused post-16 environment without younger year groups, which can suit students who prefer a more adult, college-like atmosphere. The facilities are strong for a state sixth form, including science labs, a library, and a gymnasium, plus a theatre and swimming pool that support the drama, choir, and orchestra clubs. The school does not publish SEND provision details in this data, but its large capacity suggests it can accommodate a range of needs. Admissions are likely to be straightforward for students meeting entry requirements, given the absence of oversubscription data. This school will suit families in Bradford who want a non-selective, co-educational sixth form with decent facilities and a broad extracurricular offer, but who are comfortable with academic outcomes that sit around the national average rather than pushing into top-tier performance.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About New College Bradford

Helpful Guides for Parents