Schools across the district have been urged to follow an academy’s example and help start up new Scout groups.

Bradford Academy in Bowling is the latest school to join forces with the Scout Association, a partnership that has seen teachers volunteer to train as Scout leaders and open a new Beaver group in the school.

And despite only opening in September, the group already has almost 40 members.

Among the academy’s volunteers is Keighley Scout leader Daniel Mosby, a teacher.

“I have been in Scouting myself since I was a Beaver and I can see how much it offers to children and young people,” said Mr Mosby, leader of the Riddlesden troop.

“The plan at the academy is that in the future we will be able to interest parents in taking over the running of the group, enabling them to develop new skills and leadership experience.”

Today the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will perform an investiture ceremony at Bradford Academy, blessing the new group when he visits as part of a two-day trip to the city.

The idea behind the partnership is that schools set up the groups, and once they are established parents and other volunteers will take over.

Now the Scout Association has asked other schools to get involved in the project, as demand is growing faster than the number of volunteers.