Tarleton High School is set to become one of Lancashire's first trust schools.

The Hesketh Lane school has been selected by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to become the first secondary school in Lancashire to receive trust status.

Trust schools are state funded but supported by a charitable trust.

They are similar to voluntary aided and those existing foundation schools that are supported by a charitable foundation.

Each trust holds the school's assets on trust for the school, and the governing body employs staff. Each school also has the right to set its admissions arrangements.

The trust also has the power to appoint the majority of the governing body.

Tarleton High School headteacher Tony Hardiker told the Evening Post: "The governing body took the decision that they were minded to look for trust status and hopefully this will move forward. If it goes ahead we will move from being a community school to a school with a group of partners who will see to the wellbeing of the school. Hopefully we will continue to be successful.

"We have identified a number of local organisations to partner with the school and are still in discussions with them."

Consultation will begin with parents, staff and the community on April 28.

Partners with trust schools can include businesses, charities and further and higher education institutions.

Barnardos, the RSPB, Microsoft, Unilever and the Co-operative Group are already involved in the programme.

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis welcomed the news and announced that the DCSF will hold a further round of applications to join the Trust programme in June - meaning more Lancashire schools could achieve trust status.

He said: "Trusts are a fantastic way for schools to bring in the energy and expertise of external partners.

"This expression of grassroots support from schools demonstrates their readiness to embrace the programme and bring about lasting benefits for their pupils.

"I believe all schools should be looking to the world of business, charities, higher and further education to improve standards and strengthen leadership."

Other Lancashire schools now working towards foundation status are Peel Park Primary School in Accrington and Haslingden Primary School. Blakewater College in Blackburn is also earmarked to become a trust school.

The latest round of awards brings the total number of trust schools to 390 nationally.