Over the last few years, education in the Bradford District has been through a period of radical change.   In 2001 Serco signed a 10 year contract with the Council for the provision of education support services to the District's schools. This contract was the largest of its type to be awarded to a private sector provider in Europe to date - it involved the TUPE transfer of 1172 members of staff and had a full contract life value of £360 million.

Educational achievement levels in the Bradford District are now rising considerably faster than the national average with some excellent schools right across the District.  The proportion of 15 year old pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grade GCSEs (or equivalent) has increased by more than 10% between 2003 and 2006 (the last recorded data), compared to a national improvement of 5-6%. Other measures of educational achievement have also witnessed above the average national improvements. Dixons City Academy and Bradford Grammar School are both examples of extremely high performing schools in Bradford, sitting amongst the top schools in the country. There are also several highly respected independent schools within the district.