Two Ipswich schools are being earmarked for expansion after a new multi-million pound secondary school with 600 places was axed.

Suffolk County Council has said it is in talks with Northgate High School and Ormiston Endeavour to explore the possibility of expanding the schools to provide 600 extra places across their sites. 

This is instead of a 600-place secondary school within the Ipswich Garden Suburb which was likely to cost in excess of £30m.

Northgate High School could be expandingNorthgate High School could be expanding (Image: Google Maps)

Suffolk County Council said the cost of building a new school would be considerably more than than expanding the Defoe Road and Sidegate Lane sites, which it estimates will be in the region of £20m.

The county council has said the design work has identified that the cost of building a new school is considerably more than initial estimates and would no longer be fully covered by the financial contributions from Ipswich Garden Suburb and other developments.

Ormiston Endeavour Academy could also be expanding Ormiston Endeavour Academy could also be expanding (Image: Contributed)

The council has also said that a concern in failing birthrates seen across Suffolk means there may be insufficient students attending in the future and brings the risk of the school becoming financially unsustainable. 

Councillor Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND, at Suffolk County Council, said: “With all new housing, it is essential that we match the number of school places with the predicted number of children and young people that may move in and to cover future need. This may mean we build new schools or explore the feasibility of expanding existing schools.

Councillor Andrew ReidCouncillor Andrew Reid (Image: Newsquest)

“In this case, expanding Northgate and Ormiston Endeavour seems to be the best option. Not only is it more economical, but both schools would benefit from the funding from additional pupils - and the new students would benefit from a wider range of opportunities.”

New places at Northgate and Ormiston Endeavour are expected to be available from 2027. 

The three primary schools that were planned as part of the Ipswich Garden Suburb are still on track to be built, the county council has said.