‘Cast iron case’ for new Northampton secondary school argues councillor after publishing new report
More than 9,000 new homes planned across west and south west Northampton strengthen the case for the scrapped Dallington Grange secondary school, according to councillor’s report.
The report, produced by Dallington Spencer Councillor and Labour group leader Sally Keeble, argues West Northamptonshire Council’s own planning and education documents demonstrate the need for the school.
Plans for Dallington Grange, between Harlestone Firs and Kings Heath, were approved in 2021 and included 3,000 homes, a secondary school and two primary schools. The secondary school was intended to be developed as a free school by Wootton Park School.
However, the Government confirmed in February 2026 that funding would no longer be provided for the free school. WNC subsequently removed it from its capital spending programme.
The new report points to housing allocations across Northampton West, Kings Heath and Norwood Farm/Upton Lodge totalling 9,155 homes. It says Northampton West and Kings Heath are expected to be developed first, creating the most immediate pressure for secondary school places.
It also highlights WNC’s School Organisation Plan, presented in March, which identified a need for a new secondary school in the Northampton planning area and reserved a site at Dallington Grange.
The report comes after parents and children from Dallington Grange marched 3.5 miles to Kingsthorpe College on September 13 to demonstrate the journey pupils could face without a local school.
The walk took around 90 minutes each way, potentially leaving children facing a three-hour round trip. Parents also highlighted that there are currently no buses serving the estate.
WNC has previously said current forecasts show there is sufficient secondary school capacity across West Northamptonshire, including available places at nearby schools.
The council said it remained committed to ensuring there were enough high-quality school places and would continue planning for future housing growth.
She said: “The figures make a cast iron case for the new secondary school. It’s impossible to see how it could be deleted.
“Failure to provide the new school will be damaging to the interests of the 9,000 families due to move into the area, and fail to bridge the educational deficit in the existing community.”
The report also warns that if the reserved school site is not developed, the land could revert to the developer and potentially accommodate another 300 to 400 homes.