A NEW academy is set to open in East Lancashire next week.

Bowland High School, in Grindleton in the Ribble Valley, has now entered into a funding agreement with the Department for Education and can open as an academy.

The school’s application was approved earlier this year but bosses were waiting for the final stage of the process to be given the green light.

Bowland is now in charge of its own finances, will be given more freedom over the curriculum and has broken away from local authority control.

The controversial decision to bid for the status resulted in two strikes with the NASUWT, the National Union of Teachers, or NUT, and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, or ATL, and Unison at the rural school.

Staff at the school feared that the changes would affect their employment status, career development and pay and conditions.

But the school vowed not to make such changes.

It plans to continue to work with neighbouring schools and maintain close links.

Bowland High School joins Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and St Wilfrid’s CofE Academy in Blackburn, which have already opened as academies in East Lancashire.

County Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for children and schools, said: "We consider all categories of school to be of equal value.

"A change of status is a big decision for a school, and the county council will help with advice on the process schools need to follow, although those wanting to become academies or free schools would have to apply direct to the Department for Education, not the county council.

"We are not closely involved in the day-to-day running of schools, which already have a high degree of autonomy.

“The county council's current role centres on providing specialist advice and ensuring that every child - including those with special needs - has a suitable education, admissions are handled fairly, and educational standards are maintained."