A school that celebrates its 125th anniversary this year is looking to apply for academy status.

Skipton Girls’ High School is currently a foundation school. But chairman of governors, John Goodfellow, told guests at the annual prizegiving that there were three main reasons for the move – finances, autonomy and collaboration.

He said: “SGHS is currently a foundation school with a vision as an innovative force in developing girls’ education. We want the school to be able to continue to provide a rich environment and to develop a broad range of opportunities for all our community.

“There are no cast iron guarantees, but the additional income and freedom that academy status brings should enable SGHS to achieve that vision more effectively than simply remaining a foundation school. The governors are, at present, in a period of consultation with the school and its community on a change of status.”