SOUTH Craven School has become the first in North Yorkshire to take on Foundation status under the Government's new "fast track" system.

From April 3, the Cross Hills school - the largest comprehensive under North Yorkshire Local Education Authority (LEA) - will become more independent.

Although it will still be funded by the LEA, the new status means the governors will become the school's employer of staff, will own the site and have full control over building development.

The school will also be its own admissions authority.

Chairman of governors, Iain Harris said: "I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation, which was overwhelmingly positive about our plans. We are committed to developing the very best education we can for our community and we are convinced that Foundation status will help us realise this aspiration."

Headteacher Dr Andrew Cummings added: "We had a particularly good year at A level last year and were delighted to receive a very positive report from Ofsted in January 2005.

"Foundation status will help us take the school forward. We want to make sure that admission arrangements ensure that we can serve our traditional catchment area.

"We have exciting plans to offer students more choice in what they learn, which is something that we can do well as a large school."

He continued: "These areas of autonomy have been encouraged by central government, but we will still work very closely with the local authority."

The school's catchment area covers both North Yorkshire and Bradford, which has always been a major factor in its decision to opt for Foundation status.

South Craven initially applied to North Yorkshire LEA for the status, but it was rejected by the School Organisation Committee in December 2004.

But last year, the Government changed its policy on Foundation status, meaning schools were able to adopt the scheme as long as its governors were in agreement.

South Craven carried out a consultation in November, after which the governors agreed to take on the status.

In a speech about reforms for schools, Prime Minister Tony Blair said at Downing Street in October last year: "What is important to schools - Specialist, Academy or Foundation - that are doing well is their ethos, their sense of purpose, the strength of their leaders, teachers and support staff, the motivation of their parents and pupils.

"The best state schools share these characteristics. But many would also like to go further: to develop new freedoms and strong relationships with sponsors.

"From next year, schools will be able to plan ahead with a dedicated school's grant separate from local authority funding - and its distribution must be agreed by local heads and governors.

"And since August, all that has been required to become a foundation school is a simple vote of the governing body."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire LEA confirmed South Craven was the first school to take on the status since the new Government rules came into affect. He said North Yorkshire had just one other Foundation school, but no-one was available to comment on how it would affect how the school was funded.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills said the school would continue to be funded as usual by the LEA.