SOUTH Craven School has become the first in the country to attain technology and engineering specialist status.

The school's successful bid marks the culmination of two years' hard work.

Out of the 1,209 schools nationally with specialist status, South Craven is one of just seven to have it in two subjects.

Headteacher Dr Andrew Cummings said: "We felt going for engineering or technology status alone would be too narrow. This was exactly the right mix for us and gives us a unique focus."

The status, which will come into force in September, brings with it £100,000 of capital funding which will be used on building projects. This is in addition to the £50,000 raised by the school to support the bid.

But more important to the school is the annual revenue of £123 per student - around £1 million over four years - to enhance technology and engineering facilities, which will be available to the wider community.

The money will be used to develop facilities in science, technology, engineering and maths, but other subjects will not be left behind.

Dr Cummings said that having designated resources for two areas of the curriculum meant more money was freed up to expand other subjects.

And, he added, technology played a part in every other subject area - every department used computers, for example.

Nor does having specialist status for two departments preclude the school going for similar awards in other subjects. Dr Cummings said he would like to see the school's achievements in sports and art, for example, attracting similar recognition.

The improved facilities will also benefit South Craven's feeder primary schools, its two partner secondary schools - Upper Wharfedale in Threshfield and Belle Vue Boys in Bradford - and Brooklands special school in Skipton.

The school will also work closely with local firms, such as Landis Lund, which supported the bid, and will develop international links with Sandia High School in Alberqueque.

"We are clearly the school at the centre of the Aire Valley corridor," said Dr Cummings.

Another move is to share the education facilities with the wider community, providing courses for parents, and continuing the work of South Craven Community Education.

The school is also to develop links with local universities, and is hoping to entice some graduates back to work with pupils.

All students at the school will now continue with some form of technology until the age of 16.

"We may have courses that include art and textiles, for example, and others that are more computer-related and engineering," Dr Cummings added.

This is the second time the school has applied for specialist status. Its first bid was technology status was rejected.

South Craven is the second school in Craven to achieve specialist status - the other is West Craven at Barnoldswick.