Dixons Sixth Form Academy

What Dixons Sixth Form Academy does

Dixons Sixth Form Academy is a state-funded sixth form academy located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, operating as part of the multi-academy Dixons Academies Trust. Founded in 2017, the institution specializes in post-16 education, delivering A level courses and BTEC vocational Level 3 qualifications (Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Child Development, Health and Social Care, Medical Science, and Sport) to students aged 16-19, supplemented by an Extended Project Qualification, enrichment programme, and dedicated support services including progress tutoring, SEND-specific learning support, BACP-registered counselling, and a careers programme aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks through the Unifrog platform.

The institution's technology stack is standard for the UK education sector: a Craft CMS website, Bromcom MIS for student records, Google Analytics for web metrics, ParentPay for fee/payment processing, iTrent for recruitment, and the Improve pastoral management system for student/parent access to attendance, timetable and progress data. The academy also hosts Bradford Research School, one of 32 schools in the Education Endowment Foundation's Research Schools Network, positioning it as a regional hub for evidence-based teaching practice.

Commercially, D6A generates revenue almost exclusively through government education funding via the Education Funding Agency, regulated by the Department for Education as a state-funded exempt charity rather than by the Charity Commission. Tuition is free for eligible students; supplementary revenue includes the externally funded Lord Kalms Bursary (up to £1,000 per year per student). The institution operates on a direct-to-consumer admissions model targeting Year 11 students, with a multi-stage enrolment process including online application, telephone interview, and in-person enrolment in August. The academy is oversubscribed, indicating demand exceeds capacity.

Name

Dixons Sixth Form Academy

Legal name

Dixons Sixth Form Academy

Website

https://dixons6a.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dixons Sixth Form Academy is a state-funded post-16 specialist academy in Bradford, UK, offering A levels and BTEC vocational qualifications to 16-19-year-olds as part of Dixons Academies Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-16 Secondary Education (Sixth Form)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Study & Research Skills for Academic Subjects (Note-Taking, Lab Reports, Essays) (EDANAAAI)

Keywords

• Sixth form education
• Post-16 academic programs
• A level courses
• BTEC vocational qualifications
• State-funded academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State Education Funding: As a state-funded academy within Dixons Academies Trust, the institution receives government funding through the Education Funding Agency. Regulated by Department for Education rather than Charity Commission.
2. Lord Kalms Bursary: External bursary funded by Lord Kalms, original sponsor of Dixons City Academy. Available to past and current students up to £1,000 maximum per year.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dixons Sixth Form Academy delivers a specialist post-16 academic programme built around A level and Level 3 BTEC vocational qualifications, with most students studying three A levels plus an Extended Project Qualification. Core subject provision spans arts, sciences, humanities and languages, alongside BTEC pathways in Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Child Development, Health and Social Care, Medical Science and Sport, supplemented by an enrichment programme, progress tutoring, careers guidance, counselling, and SEND learning support.

Product overview

Dixons Sixth Form Academy offers a single integrated educational programme comprising A level courses (academic subjects across arts, sciences, humanities, and languages) and BTEC vocational qualifications (Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Child Development, Health and Social Care, Medical Science, and Sport). These core academic products are supplemented by the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), an enrichment programme, educational trips, and specialist facilities (science laboratories, lecture theatre). Student support services include progress tutoring, counselling, careers support aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks, and learning support for students with additional needs. The academy also provides pastoral management via the Improve system and financial support through bursaries including the Lord Kalms Bursary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A Level Courses Academic Advanced level courses forming the core of the student study programme, taught by specialist teaching staff. Most students take three A level courses plus an EPQ. Designed for 16-19 year old students preparing for top university admissions.
• BTEC Courses Vocational Level 3 qualifications including Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Child Development, Health and Social Care, Medical Science and Sport, offered alongside or as alternatives to A levels. For 16-19 year old students seeking applied/vocational pathways.
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Standalone additional qualification allowing students to complete university-style research and writing on a subject of their own choosing, with one taught lesson per week. Taken alongside A levels to strengthen university applications.
• Enrichment Programme Standalone programme of additional activities beyond academic studies, providing opportunities for students to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop skills for university and employment applications.
• Educational Trips and Visits Standalone programme of educational trips and visits complementing academic courses and providing experiential learning opportunities for enrolled students.
• Progress Tutoring Standalone pastoral and academic support service in which each student is allocated a progress tutor who oversees progress and provides guidance; all progress tutors are fully qualified and experienced teachers.
• Counselling Services Standalone confidential counselling and psychotherapy service provided by a Masters level 7 trained professional registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), with self-referral and third-party referral options.
• Careers Support Programme Standalone comprehensive careers education programme aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks, supporting university and apprenticeship applications, CV writing, and providing encounters with employers and workplaces.
• Learning Support (SEND) Standalone support service for students with physical or learning differences, medical conditions, or mental health issues, including exam access arrangements, individual mentoring, and the SEND transition programme.
• Lord Kalms Bursary Standalone externally funded bursary available to past and current students, with applicants able to apply for up to £1,000 maximum per year. Established by Lord Kalms, original sponsor of Dixons City Academy.
• Specialist Facilities Hire/Use Standalone access to new purpose-built accommodation including extensive science laboratories and a university-level lecture theatre, with dedicated spaces for independent and private study for enrolled students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77% A levels A*-C grades for 2025 leavers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding body for Research Schools Network. Bradford Research School is part of network of 32 Research Schools. EEF is independent charity dedicated to breaking link between family income and educational achievement. The research school synthesises and mobilises evidence to support evidence-informed practice in challenging educational and social disadvantage.
• EduriominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation survey provider used by 150 trusts nationwide across 2000+ schools and colleges. Conducts pupil experience surveys used for national benchmarking of student satisfaction.
• UnifrogcoreTechnology or IntegrationCareer exploration platform used by students to explore careers, compare pathways (A levels, apprenticeships, university) and build personal progression plans. Also available for parent access.
• JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExamination board governing body that sets guidelines for access arrangements, exam contingencies, and assessment policies. D6A adheres to JCQ guidelines for exam arrangements.
• CAMHS / AMHSminorOthersChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services / Adult Mental Health Services for referrals when higher intensity mental health support is needed beyond college counselling.
• Kooth (XenZone)OthersOnline counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people, accessible via mobile, tablet and desktop, free at point of use.
• BACPminorOthersBritish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. The college counsellor is a registered member working within BACP Ethical Framework.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Carmel College: Sixth form college in St Helens, Merseyside offering A levels and vocational qualifications to 16-19 students. Comparable as a standalone sixth form college serving the North of England with similar demographic context to Bradford.
• Woodhouse College: Sixth form college in North Finchley, London, focused on A-level provision for 16-19 year olds. Comparable as a standalone specialist post-16 institution with university-preparation emphasis.
• The Sixth Form College, Solihull: Large sixth form college in the West Midlands delivering A levels and vocational Level 3 qualifications. Comparable in scale, curriculum mix, and standalone post-16 college model.
• Brampton Manor Academy: State-funded sixth form in East Ham renowned for exceptional Oxbridge progression and A-level results from a non-selective intake. Closely comparable to Dixons in serving ambitious students from disadvantaged backgrounds with outstanding outcomes and a university-readiness focus.
• London Academy of Excellence: Specialist, high-performing sixth form in East London focused on academic A-level outcomes and progression to selective universities. Directly comparable to Dixons Sixth Form Academy in its specialist A-level-only model, state-funded status, and emphasis on university preparation.
• Reigate College: State-funded sixth form college in Surrey offering A levels, BTECs, and a strong university-progression track record. Directly comparable as a high-performing standalone 16-19 provider.
• Peter Symonds College: Large, high-performing sixth form college in Winchester offering A levels and BTECs to 16-19 students. Comparable as a specialist post-16 provider with a broad curriculum and strong university progression record.
• Hills Road Sixth Form College: Major state-funded sixth form college in Cambridge offering a wide A-level and BTEC portfolio to 16-19 year olds. Functionally similar to Dixons in its standalone post-16 college model and academic specialism.

Broad incumbents

• Ark Schools: Multi-academy trust operating schools across England, including sixth form and post-16 pathways. Comparable as a larger network incumbent with a similar mission of educational outcomes for disadvantaged cohorts.
• Harris Federation: Large multi-academy trust operating primary, secondary, and sixth form provision across London and the South East, including high-performing sixth forms. Comparable as a broader incumbent running multiple post-16 settings within a trust structure analogous to Dixons Academies Trust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dixons-sixth-form-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dixons Sixth Form Academy