SOUTH Craven School at Cross Hills has become a hub for initial teacher training.

The Holme Lane school was chosen by the Red Kite Teaching Alliance to train new recruits.

And it will take a lead role in the nationally-recognised programme.

A first cohort of 19 would-be teachers is now in place at the school.

The trainees will spend one day a week at South Craven, under the guidance of teachers Caroline Haley and Rhian Fish.

The tailor-made training package will also include spells at partner schools.

Red Kite Teaching Alliance is a group of Yorkshire schools and institutions which share skills and provide accredited training.

Deputy director, Dr Keith Bothamley, said: "We are delighted that South Craven School is taking such a lead role in training outstanding teachers of the future.

"The school is at the heart of high-quality teacher training, which will ultimately ensure young people in the area continue to be taught by excellent teachers."

South Craven headteacher, Dr Andrew Cummings, said: "This continues the school's fine tradition of developing first-class teachers.

"Several of our newly-qualified and long-serving teachers have trained at the school on initial teacher training placements."

The school is staging a recruitment event from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on October 19.

For more details about the event, or training to become a teacher, contact John Lovell on j.lovell@southcraven.org or Karen Higson on k.higson@southcraven.org.

Further information can also be found at southcraven.org or redkitealliance.co.uk.