The school has formed partnerships with The Ogden Trust,[1] Airedale NHS Trust a prominent employer in the local area, Craven College a local further education college and long-term partner Bradford University who work closely on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at the school, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds College of Music and finally the Bradford Local Authority.

To enter South Craven Sixth Form and take level 3 courses, students need to have achieved Grade A*-C passes at GCSE, or passes in other level 2 qualifications (e.g., BTEC, OCR Nationals), in at least 5 separate subjects.

Before it was built, local children attended Glusburn Community Primary School and Hothfield Secondary, in Silsden.

When South Craven School first opened, there were just 11 teachers, one headteacher and a secretary.

At the same time it established its own sixth form so students could stay on to take their A levels.