Governors are to start consultations on whether their school should become an academy.

South Craven School at Cross Hills, near Keighley, has been exploring the issue since the Government passed an Act that opened up the possibility of academy status to all schools.

Academies in England’s education system are publicly-funded independent schools, free from local authority and national Government control. They can set their own pay and conditions for staff, have more say on how they deliver the national curriculum and change the length of their terms and school days.

A spokesman for South Craven School said: “We have looked at the possibilities offered and governors believe they should be explored.”

The consultation process runs until Friday, January 7.