Seven new primary schools needed in the Daventry area by 2025 to cope with population growth

Figures show the number of pupils starting reception year in the town’s primary schools has risen by almost 40 per cent in the past 10 years.

The rising birth rate in the town has been the main driving factor behind the increase in pupil numbers but in-migration and new housing developments have also increased the need for school places.

Latest figures show the school admission team is receiving 267 applications a week for school places in the county, 37 per cent of these are for Northampton.

Despite the pressure on school places, Councillor Golby said the local authority was determined to maintain its high percentages of matching pupils with their first choice school.

In Northamptonshire last year, 84 per cent of pupils received their first choice secondary school and 90 per cent got their first choice primary school.

Councillor Golby said: “We want to create local places for children. We don’t want to be busing pupils across the town or county.

“With new schools we want them to be the best they can be.”

Two new ‘all through’ schools in Northampton are planned to open in September 2016; the Northampton International Academy in Barrack Road and the Wootton Hall Free School.

Across the county, the council says it needs to build a total of 31 new schools including six secondary and 25 primary.