Schools in Ipswich could take on an additional 600 pupils

The authority said that, in addition to concerns about costs, it believed birth rates would fall across Suffolk and that nationally this meant there could be too few students in the future, potentially making a new school ‘financially unsustainable’ would be.

Andrew Reid, Conservative cabinet member for education and Send (special educational needs and disabilities) at the council, said: “With all new homes it is essential that we match the number of school places with the predicted number of children and young people who can move in and meet future needs .

“This could mean building new schools or investigating the feasibility of expanding existing schools.

“In this case, expanding Northgate and Ormiston Endeavor appears to be the best option.

“Not only is it more economical, but both schools would benefit from funding additional students – and the new students would benefit from a wider range of opportunities.”