Liberal Democrats say a fresh education policy must be adopted at County Hall to restore the council's influence over where future secondary schools are sited.
Councillor Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) said the balance of power had shifted too fa
r towards independent academy and faith schools.
He said: "The council needs to have a clear education policy framework for all areas of the county.
"This must take into account the growth of housing and should give parents a choice of types of schools for their children.
"At the moment, there is no published policy as to where academy schools and faith schools should be placed and all decisions seem to be made in a reactive, rather than a planned, way."
Councillor Hoare and his Lib Dem colleagues called for a cross-party working group to be set up to examine long-term plans for school developments.
But Joan Kirkbride (Con, Bugbrooke), the cabinet member for education, said detailed consultations had already started with schools, borough and district councils and the county's two development corporations.
Councillor Kirkbride added: "The provision of new schools in a growth area like Northamptonshire requires more than the normal consultation and planning.
"It is absolutely essential to get the right schools in the right places and ensure existing schools are not adversely affected."
The full article contains 251 words and appears in Northampton Chron & Echo newspaper.
