Bradford is changing!  All the evidence points towards the fact that Bradford has been rediscovered. The city centre is undergoing massive redevelopment with an Urban Regeneration Company (Bradford Centre Regeneration) co-funded by Yorkshire Forward, leading the way and an investment of over £2 billion.  The infrastructure for the new 500,000 sq ft Broadway development is nearly complete with further demolition of the ugly and unwanted 60's buildings.

Bradford & District is the second largest metropolitan district in the West Yorkshire sub-region, with a population of over 460,000. Its main population centres are Bradford City and the surrounding towns of Keighley, Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley. The area is in the 10% most deprived areas in the country. The 2001 population census estimated an increase in the 14-19 cohort by 3.2% between 2003 to 2006.
The black and ethnic minority population of the Bradford District makes up 24% of the total population and is expected to increase to 29% by the year 2011.

There are approximately 7000 learners in a year’s cohort, over one-third from minority ethnic groups. The attainment levels, those continuing further learning and basic skills are well below the national average. Educational achievement levels in the Bradford District are now rising faster than the national average with excellent schools right across the District.  For example, in the inner city, Dixons CTC is ranked 21st nationally for GCSE results and, in Wharfedale, Ilkley Grammar is ranked 6th nationally for A level results.  Finally Feversham College is top of the table when it comes to the new 'value added' measure.

14-19 education in the Bradford District is provided by 28 schools, a City Academy (two more are being developed), 3 colleges and just over 30 work-based learning providers. The District is the home to the University of Bradford and Bradford College has a high proportion of HE provision.