The opening of a new school in Northampton on the site of a former Royal Mail sorting office has become a “significant challenge” and requires a larger budget, the county council has revealed.

A report due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting next week states the Northampton International Academy, in Barrack Road, needs to enter into a number of “urgent contracts” in order to deliver the project on time.

The renovation of the building, which is being financed by the Education Funding Agency (EFA), will now cost £34.7 million, up from the £30 million budget announced earlier this year.

A group of 150 Year Seven pupils at the EMLC Trust-sponsored school are currently being taught in temporary classrooms at the back of the site, and 30 reception children are being taught at nearby Castle Academy.

It is hoped these children, as well as a new group of up to 300 pupils, will move into the Barrack Road building in September next year.

However, the cabinet report expresses concerns about whether the building will be fully complete in time.

The report states: “The programme for the full building opening in September 2017 has become a significant challenge due to the requirement for extensive value-engineering of the design for the permanent accommodation in order to meet the Capital allocation provided by EFA.

“Alternative plans are being developed to accelerate the works, including the consideration of a phased opening, and a number of urgent contracts are needed to be entered into in order to deliver the project on time and avoid any major delays.”

The report states the extra money from the EFA should ensure that the school building conversion is completed without any money from the county council.

It states: “The current cost plan is now within the funding envelope secured from the EFA and no local funding from the council is required.”

Councillor Matthew Golby, cabinet member for children’s services, said the county council was “determined” to make sure the school building was ready by September.

He said: “Northamptonshire is seeing a huge growth in pupil numbers but we are successfully meeting that demand for additional school places. Northampton International Academy is an important part of our strategy for providing those extra school places in Northampton.

“The school will be the largest in the town and is one of the largest capital projects the council is currently delivering. We are determined that it will be ready to take pupils from next September.”

A vigil against hate crime will be held outside All Saints Church in Northampton next week.

The event has been organised by Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week and will take place on Friday, October 14 between 7-8pm.

The vigil will include feature music and spoken word against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime.

A University of Northampton expert will be analysing the effect of extreme and isolated conditions on the minds of six British Army Reservists as they embark on a three-month trek around Antarctica.

Dr Nathan Smith, Lecturer in Sport Psychology, will be looking at the team’s mindset as they explore the coldest, windiest and most inhospitable place on the planet.

The South Pole Army Reserves 2017 (SPEAR17) - a six-man team from the British Army Reserves (formerly known as the Territorial Army) - will endure temperatures as low as -50C during the endurance challenge.

As a consequence of the expedition the team hope to raise £100,000 for ABF The Soldiers' Charity; an organisation which aims to help those service personnel that require it most. If you are impressed by their efforts, please consider supporting their cause – for more information, visit: www.soldierscharity.org or www.spear17.org.

In November 2016, the six men will be dropped by ski plane on the coastline of Antarctica. From there they will attempt to ski over 1,100 miles, unsupported, across the polar continent. The first leg will be to the Geographic South Pole. Once at the Pole they will receive a supply of rations and fuel before continuing onwards over the Titan Dome, down the Shackleton Glacier and onto the Ross Ice Shelf to complete a full traverse of Antarctica. This gruelling challenge has only ever been achieved by six people and never before by a British team.

Each man will be hauling an individual sledge weighing approximately 140kg, which will contain everything he needs to survive for three months on the ice pack. The determined team will be completely self-sufficient, with no outside assistance until they reach the Pole.

The team will face many challenges along the way; they will brave the harsh polar weather, navigate crevasses, endure whiteout conditions and undertake a climb from sea level to 10,000ft, all while hauling their sledges across the ice. The team will also experience extreme mental stress, due to their isolation from the outside world, lack of supplies and contact, and the extreme physicality of their challenge. They are well-prepared – having trained for many months and undertaken numerous exercises.

Dr Nathan Smith’s research will investigate the team’s psychological state throughout the trip, and consider how easily the group transition back into daily life after the expedition. He explained: “The SPEAR17 expedition provides a unique opportunity to collect data that will help understand how to monitor and support the psychological health of those undertaking expeditions in extreme settings.

"Using a structured diary study approach, we will be able to examine important indicators of daily stress, resilience and optimal functioning in extreme conditions of the Antarctic.

"A particularly unique dimension to the present work is the continuation of data collection in the post-expedition phase, which will tell us about the psychological experience of transitioning out of the expedition environment and into everyday life.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their support and wish them all the best in their incredible and ambitious endeavour."

Expedition leader, Lou Rudd, added: “More people have landed on the moon than have walked across the continent of Antarctica. We are following in the footsteps of explorers like Shackleton and Scott.”

Stephen Myler and Luther Burrell return from injury to take their place in the Saints team to travel to Harlequins on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Burrell has been out since being knocked unconscious in the defeat at Saracens on September 17, while Myler was a late withdrawal ahead of the win against Exeter last Friday due to a shoulder problem.

Tom Wood is also back to skipper the side after being rested against the Chiefs, while Teimana Harrison comes in for the benched Louis Picamoles at No.8.

Ahsee Tuala replaces Ben Foden, who is among the replacements, at full-back.

It is a strong Saints bench, with Lee Dickson returning from a groin injury and Harry Mallinder likely to get a cameo after his heroic match-winning penalty last week.

Dylan Hartley remains out with a back injury, with Christian Day (bicep) and JJ Hanrahan (ankle) among the others still sidelined.

Meanwhile, Harlequins remain shorn of scrum-half Danny Care, who has a rib injury.

But Nick Evans is fit enough to return to the starting 15 at fly-half.

Harlequins: Brown; Yarde, Alofa, Roberts, Visser; Evans, Dickson; Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler; Merrick, Horwill (c); Robshaw, Wallace, Chisholm. Replacements: Gray, Lambert, Collier, Twomey, Luamanu, Mulchrone, Swiel, Marchant.

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Groom; A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Lawes, Paterson; Wood (c), Clark, Harrison. Replacements: Clare, E Waller, Hill, Dickinson, Picamoles, Dickson, Mallinder, Foden.

A Northampton College student has landed a competition prize as part of a national drive to boost literacy levels and get people reading more.

Sarah Lawless, who studied at Northampton College’s Daventry campus, was named the winner of the Reading Agency’s national prize draw following this year’s Reading Ahead initiative.

The programme encourages people to read and share their experiences of reading books, magazines and blogs.

Librarian Hannah Painting said: “Reading Ahead is such an important event in our library calendar because of the immense impact it has on the students’ learning experience, their confidence and the development of their skills.

“I am proud that our Library has become a centre of excellent practice in developing literacy through the scheme, with thousands of students participating in the challenge over the last nine years.”

Sarah, who will receive an e-reader to encourage her to keep reading in the future, is an enthusiastic library user who participated in a number of activities staged by the College Library throughout the year.

She said: "I enjoyed taking part in the Reading Ahead scheme and I liked the fact that it doesn't always have to be about books, it can be things such as magazines as well.

“I am a real bookworm, I have always loved reading as it helps me escape in to a different world. This challenge has enabled me to improve my confidence even more and I hope that it will help others the way it has helped me.”

Fixture: Harlequins v Northampton Saints (Aviva Premiership - round six)

Date and kick-off time: Saturday, October 8, 2016, 3pm.

Venue: The Stoop, Twickenham

Harlequins: Brown; Yarde, Alofa, Roberts, Visser; Evans, Dickson; Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler; Merrick, Horwill (c); Robshaw, Wallace, Chisholm. Replacements: Gray, Lambert, Collier, Twomey, Luamanu, Mulchrone, Swiel, Marchant.

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Groom; A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Lawes, Paterson; Wood (c), Clark, Harrison. Replacements: Clare, E Waller, Hill, Dickinson, Picamoles, Dickson, Mallinder, Foden.

Injuries: Saints: Dylan Hartley (back), Christian Day (bicep), Tom Stephenson (broken leg), Jamie Elliott (shoulder), James Craig (concussion)

Referee: Ian Tempest

Most recent meeting: Sunday, March 27, 2016: Saints 29 Harlequins 23 (Aviva Premiership)

Tom’s preview: Once upon a time, Saints really struggled to secure victories against Harlequins.

Whatever they did, it seemed that the men from Twickenham had the beating of them when it mattered most.

Between January, 2010 and May, 2013, Saints beat Quins just once in seven meetings and that barren spell included an agonising Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final defeat at The Stoop.

But during the past couple of years, the tables have definitely turned.

Now it is Saints who hold the Indian Sign over their rivals.

In fact, Harlequins have lost their past seven meetings with Jim Mallinder’s men.

Try as they might, they have simply been unable to get the better of Saints.

And even when it looked for all the world like they would, back in February, Ben Botica failed to kick the ball out to end the game and Ben Foden bagged a dramatic match-winning try.

It was the ultimate hammer blow to a Harlequins team who just haven’t been able to find a way to beat Saints.

But why haven’t they?

Well, George Pisi’s explanation was the most simplistic: “We beat them up,” he said.

Pisi is well aware of Quins’ class, but when it comes to the power game, Saints have showed they have the edge.

And you would expect that to be the case again this weekend, with the likes of Kieran Brookes, Louis Picamoles and George North fit and firing.

Those men provide big ball-carrying options that Quins might find it tough to live with.

And Saints should expect to continue their fine record this weekend.

However, Quins are never easy to beat, especially at home, where they have won both of their games this season.

They became the first side to beat Saracens in what seemed like an age, and have plenty of dangermen in their ranks.

But Saints need to make sure they nullify them again this Saturday.

They need to get more Premiership points on the board.

They need to back up last week’s thrilling win against Exeter.

And the need to take momentum into the Champions Cup, which starts next weekend.

Quins would appear to be the perfect opposition to achieve those aims against, given Saints’ recent record against them.

But as all of the Saints players and coaches were keen to points out this week, the past is just that.

Records mean nothing and are there to be broken.

But Saints need to make sure theirs remains intact this weekend.

Tom’s prediction: Harlequins 18 Saints 23

Matt Adcock reviews The Girl on the Train (15), starring Emily Blunt and Justin Theroux

The train company would like to apologise for the unexpected delays to your service today. It seems that the impossibly good-looking couple in the house near the tracks are doing saucy things and it has distracted the driver and at least one of the passengers. Also, in an entirely unrelated note, if there are any devious murderers on board, would they please make themselves known to a member of the team. Thank you.

Here comes the big screen adaptation of Paula Hawkins’s hit novel. It's been relocated to America and monkeyed with a little but still tells the tale of Rachel Watson (Emily ‘Sicario’ Blunt), an alcoholic who divorced her husband Tom (Justin ‘Mulholland Drive’ Theroux) after she caught him cheating on her. Rachel takes the train to work daily and fantasises about the steamy relationship of seemingly perfect couple Scott (Luke ‘High-Rise’ Evans) and Megan (Haley ‘The Magnificent Seven’ Bennett) Hipwell, during her commute. Everything changes however when one day she witnesses something sinister from the train window and finds out that Megan is missing, presumed dead.

Unfortunately for Tate Taylor’s The Girl On The Train, it walks in the shadow on the magnificent Gone Girl to which this movie owes a lot, not least the icy cold detached view of events getting ever more out of hand. Sure this is a passable dose of sadistic thriller, laced with overly dramatic cruelty and a strong vein of ‘who can you trust’ almost Hitchcock-like mystery.

And while it all looks good and is nicely shot, the performances are extremely variable – props to Blunt who gives great alcoholic malaise in the main role and Bennett who is also good but it’s the men here who derail much of the film with some spectacularly hammy acting.

The plot jumps in time quite a bit but this dynamic feels a bit forced at points as do the shoehorned false memories slapped in to try and keep those who’ve read the book interested and not just sitting waiting for the big twist reveal.

The Girl On The Train is certainly worth a punt for those who like some melodrama and it keeps the strong feminine messaging of how and from what women draw their self-worth. I wanted to like it more than I did - a bit like my experiences on Great Northern trains.

Fixture: Scunthorpe United v Northampton Town, Sky Bet League One

Date/time: Saturday, October 8, 2016

Venue: Glanford Park

Forecast: 13C, sunny spells

Outs and doubts: Scunthorpe: Josh Morris (slight knock), Jordan Clarke (ankle), Luke Williams (foot). Cobblers: Gabriel Zakunai (international duty), Harry Beautyman (knee)

Betting: United 4/5, draw 13/5, Northampton 100/30

Form guide: Scunthorpe WWWDDW, Cobblers LLWWLL

Avg. goals scored/conceded per game: Scunthorpe 2.4/1.0; Northampton 1.6/1.1

Likely line-ups: Scunthorpe (4-3-3): Daniels; Wiseman, Wallace, Mirfin, Toffolo; Dawson, Bishop, Smallwood; Holmes, Hooper, Morris. Northampton (4-1-4-1): Smith; Moloney, Diamond, Nyatanga, Buchanan; McCourt; Hoskins, O’Toole, Taylor, Anderson; Revell.

Man in the middle: Darren Handley

Last time out: Scunthorpe 2 (Lancashire OG, Margetts) Shrewsbury 0; Coventry 3 Northampton 1 (Richards)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, March 8, 2014 – Scunthorpe 1 (Canavan) Northampton 1 (Diamond)

Record v Scunthorpe: P59 W21 D16 L22

Opposition view: “They’ve continued from last season and they are an extremely difficult team to beat,” said Iron boss Graham Alexander on the Cobblers this week. “I’ve come up against Rob Page’s teams a couple of times, and they’re always competitive games, very hard-working outfits, but with very good players within them. It’ll be a competitive game.”

James Heneghan’s preview: This weekend’s trip to early pace-setters Scunthorpe United should provide us with the perfect barometer by which to judge the progress of this Northampton team under the guidance of Rob Page.

With the Cobblers lying fifth in League One, the opening quarter of the season has unquestionably exceeded most people’s expectations but tougher examinations lie in wait and there is nowhere more difficult at this present time than high-flying United who have been the EFL’s form team this season.

Not only are Scunthorpe leading the way in League One, they have also already managed to rack up a mightily impressive plus 15 goal difference, scoring 26 goals in just 11 games – more than any other team in England’s top four divisions.

What’s more, Northampton must also find a way of dealing with the Football League’s leading goalscorer in the shape of the red-hot Josh Morris who’s bagged a remarkable 11 goals in 11 games and has netted in all but three of his league appearances this term.

Whichever way you look at it, the Iron are formidable opposition.

It will be intriguing to see Page’s approach to this game. In previous away games this season, he’s been inclined to play on the counter-attack by sitting deep, frustrating the opposition and then looking to spring forward in numbers on the break.

It’s an approach which has yielded mixed fortunes, and up against an attack in such good goalscoring form this weekend, it’s essential Page finds the right balance between being well-organised and hard to beat but not overly defensive that they find themselves under constant pressure and unable to get out.

They need to show energy, press high up the pitch and put pressure on the table-toppers by constantly hassling and harrying them, don’t let them dictate and control the game otherwise there’ll only be one outcome.

Gabriel Zakuani, away on international duty, is a big miss at the heart of defence and there are other selection dilemmas for Page, particularly in the wide areas where Paul Anderson and Sam Hoskins have been the recent players of choice.

But with Kenji Gorre enjoying his best spell since signing for the club and JJ Hooper impressing Page in Tuesday’s defeat at Coventry City, there is strong competition for places.

That said, Hoskins’ work ethic and willingness to help out defensively might mean he gets the nod.

Cobblers have started the season in good form and confidence is high but with Scunthorpe absolutely flying at the top, this might just be a stretch too far for Page’s boys.

Prediction: Scunthorpe United 2 Northampton Town 1

Tributes have been pouring in today following the sad news that former Northants pace bowler Alan Hodgson has died, aged 64.

Hodgson was a member of the 1976 Gillette Cup winning team, and played 99 first-class and 127 one day matches for the County.

Born in Moorside in Durham in 1951, Hodgson made his debut for Northants in 1970 and played for the club for nine years.

In first-class cricket he claimed 206 wickets for the club at an average of 28.95, and on one day cricket claimed 169 at just 24.57, with best figures of seven for 39.

After retiring in 1979, Hodgson stayed a regular and popular fixture at the County Ground, undertaking various coaching roles at the club, and was also continued to play cricket locally for Old Northamptonians, as well as rugby for the Billing Road club in the winter months.

Writing on Twitter, Northants captain Alex Wakely said: “Horrible news about Alan Hodgson. A County legend in so many ways. He played a big part in a lot of current players development. #RIP.”

Ben Duckett, who today makes his England debut in the first one-day international in Bangladesh, wrote: “Woken up to the shocking news of Alan hodgson Passing away! Very sad news! #RIPHodge.”

Monty Panesar added his tribute, by posting: “Very sad to hear news of Alan Hodgson passing away @NorthantsCCC legend helped with a lot players development he will be missed #RIP.”

Pace bowler Olly Stone added: “Sad news about the passing of Alan Hodgson! A Northants legend who loved to help and chat. #RIP Hodgy.”

Muhammad Azharullah was another to take to Twitter, saying: “Sad News about Alan Hodgson today @NorthantsCCC legend and a wonderful human being #willbemissed.”

The Professional Cricketers Association posted: “Sad news reaching us from @NorthantsCCC that Alan Hodgson has passed away aged 64. Thoughts with friends and family.”

Hodgson made his first-class debut for Northants against Cambridge University at Wantage Road in 1970 and played his final match against Essex, also at Northampton, at the end of the 1979 season.

He was awarded his county cap in 1976 and was granted a Testimonial by Northamptonshire in 1980.

Cobblers boss Rob Page is confident his players will rise to the occasion when they march into the home of Sky Bet League One leaders Scunthorpe United on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Promoted as league two champions in May, the Cobblers face the biggest test of their short league one life to date this weekend when they travel to Glanford Park.

Scunthorpe have enjoyed an outstanding start to the season and are three points clear at the top of the table.

They are unbeaten at home this season and are going to provide a stern test for Rob Page’s team, who themselves have started the campaign well and sit fifth.

It is going to be a stern test of this Town team’s league one credentials, but Page is expecting his team to be up to the challenge.

“I think our players have proven on big occasions, playing MK Dons on the television, the Manchester United game to some degree, I think they have proven that in the big games the boys step up to the plate,” said the Cobblers boss.

“I have enough experience in that dressing room, with big Revs (Alex Revell) and Matty Taylor and Lewin (Nyatanga), who has experience of the Championship as well, there is enough experience in there to manage games like this and see them through.

“The players will be mentally prepared for this one, and physically too.”

The Cobblers go into the game off the back of two defeats.

Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at Coventry City in the Checkatrade Trophy can be written off as Town made nine changes, but there were concerning signs in the second half of last weekend’s 3-2 Sixfields defeat to Bristol Rovers.

Page felt the defeat against an impressive Gas side was very much self-inflicted, and he is demanding the players up their game at Scunthorpe.

“We need to eradicate silly, individual mistakes as the defeat was our own doing last Saturday, and that is the message I keep telling the players,” said the Town manager.

“It’s not as if teams are carving us open, it is our own doing and switching off at vital moments in games.

“Whether that’s a set-piece where we get done from a straight header, which we did against Bristol Rovers.

“Gaby (Zakuani) gets sent off and we don’t organise as a team while we are out there.

“For the third goal, the first corner comes in and we deal with it, but then we don’t deal with the second phase, we switch off, and in that 10 seconds we switch off, the ball is the back of our net.

“It is things we know we can improve on, and we will work on and put it right and make sure they don’t happen again.”

Firefighters have been called out to a blaze at a pub in Northampton town centre.

Two crews are currently dealing with a fire believed to have started in the kitchen of the Princess Alexandra pub in Alexandra Road.

The firefighters were called out at 3.45pm this afternoon. Witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing out of the building.

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Skipper Jos Buttler hailed Ben Duckett after the Northants star delivered on his England debut.

Duckett impressed as he hit a crucial 60 from 78, building a 153-run partnership with Ben Stokes as England recovered from 63 for three to make 309 for eight.

Bangladesh then collapsed in reply, going from 271 for four to 288 all out as England won the first ODI by 21 runs in Dhaka.

And that ensured it would be a dream debut for Duckett, who drew praise from his captain.

“It looks like we’ve found a player there,” said Buttler.

“The greatest compliment you could pay him is that you’d never know he was on debut at all. He looked like he was a seasoned pro out there.

“He and Ben (Stokes) showed exactly the kind of things we want to be about. We were 63 for three and could easily have dug a hole for ourselves but the fashion in which they built that partnership was fantastic.”

Sky Sports pundit Nasser Hussain was also impressed with Duckett.

Hussain said: “Here’s a 21-year-old on debut and he was ice cool.

“Stokes was sweating at the other end and this little lad was under immense pressure, but he was cool, he was calm and he played his way.

“A lot of people come into international cricket and think they’ve got to bat like Ben Stokes, got to be belting it out of the ground, but he didn’t.

“He played his way and he was very honest as well, saying he lost a bit of rhythm towards the end and he’s going to look at it.

“He’s another person who isn’t one dimensional and when spinners are on, he can knock it and manoeuvre.

“He reminds me a little bit of how Eoin Morgan was when he first came into the side in that as a captain you’re thinking ‘he can reverse sweep, I’ve got to move that man’.

“As an opposition captain he’s one of these players who you’re always looking for an extra fielder to cover because he can hit it 360.”

Rob Page admitted he and his players felt a tinge of disappointment at not taking all three points after their 1-1 draw away at league leaders Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

Despite going a goal down to Josh Morris’ superb free-kick and then losing Matty Taylor to a straight red card early in the second-half, Northampton took the game to the EFL’s form team and not only were they full value for their point, they could also had taken all three.

“I think the first 10, 15 minutes they, understandably, had the lions share of possession and we had to put out tin hats on for a little while but we then grew into the game,” said Page when assessing the game afterwards.

“It was a shocking time to concede a goal right before half-time but it was typical of Morris to stick one in the top corner.

“It was a little bit of ill-discipline to give away the free-kick in the first place but it was a great finish, he couldn’t have placed it any better with his hand.

“To show character to come from behind with 10 men speaks volumes about the lads and we’ve actually come off disappointed not to win the game.

“They’ve only had one shot on target in the second-half and we’ve had at least half a dozen so it just goes to show.

“We tried to be positive after the sending off and play two up top to get as much support for Revs, and it speaks volumes about how far we’ve come that we’re disappointed not win the game against the leaders.”

On Taylor’s sending off, Page added: “I think he’s angry with the decision and I’ve had a look at it and it’s very harsh.

“Some you see given but the majority of the times they’re not given straight reds so it’s harsh to get sent off for that challenge.

“We’ll have a look at it and if we feel we’ve got a case we’ll appeal.”

A Northamptonshire secondary school is not improving quickly due to a high turnover of staff, Ofsted inspectors have found.

A total of 27 teachers have left Campion School in Bugbrooke since February after the school was judged to be in the ‘requires improvement’ category.

Ofsted inspectors carried out a monitoring visit on September 13 and a report states “the pace of improvement has been slowed by the high turnover of staff.”

Since the start of term, 17 new teachers have joined as well as a new special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), an attendance officer and a positive behaviour coordinator.

Of seven faculty leaders, only two were in post at the time of the last inspection.

A letter written by Ofsted inspector Daniel Burton to headteacher Claire Whitmore states: “The short visits to lessons we made together confirm your view that teaching quality remains too variable. There is clearly some good teaching in the school.

“In the lessons we saw, the most effective learning was characterised by the teachers’ effective use of information about pupils’ prior attainment and any barriers to learning to inform their lesson planning.

“Not all teachers use this information though, or use it well enough to enable pupils to make good progress.”

Mr Burton said the pupils he observed in lessons and around the school “behaved well” and the school environment is much improved.

However, he said pupils’ views about standards of behaviour at the school and the consistency of teachers’ management of behaviour varied considerably.

Mr Burton said: “A few pupils also complained about behaviour on their buses to and from school. While all pupils I met with said they feel safe in school, a number of pupils complained that the toilet facilities are dirty and poorly maintained. It is important that this is remedied immediately.”

Campion School has been apporached for a comment.

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The headteacher of a new school in Northampton town centre says a new building “has to be ready” for next September next year.

A report due to be discussed by Northamptonshire County Council cabinet members next week has revealed the conversion of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Barrack Road, which will house Northampton International Academy, has become a “significant challenge”.

The building work is being financed by a £34.7 million grant from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) but the county council says it needs to enter into a number of “urgent contracts” in order to make sure the building is completed by September 2017.

A group of 150 Year Seven pupils at the EMLC Trust-sponsored school are currently being taught in temporary classrooms at the back of the site, and 30 reception children are being taught at nearby Castle Academy.

The school, which will eventually provide more than 2,000 places, will double in size next September.

Talking to the Chronicle & Echo, Roger Whittall, principal, said, if the building wasn’t completely finished, the pupils would still be able to move in.

He said: “It has to be ready for next September. We have no room to expand on the temporary site.

“A plan B could be that part of the building is open to us when we move in September.

“We would like it to be fully complete and we have to ensure the specialist areas such as the sports hall, cafeteria and theatre are complete.”

Mr Whittall said the temporary site had provided a “unique” experience for pupils and staff.

He said: “I have found the pupils and parents to be very aspirational.

“We have managed to have a set of standards and routines and everything we do is about creating a team ethos.”

A open day for parents of prospective pupils in September 2017 is being held at the school on Monday (October 10) at 6pm

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Cobblers boss Rob Page says his team are preparing to face an ‘outstanding’ Scunthorpe United team at Glanford Park on Saturday (ko 3pm).

The Iron are flying high at the top of Sky Bet League One having lost just once so far this season, and they are in confident mood ahead of hosting the Cobblers this weekend.

They are unbeaten at home, and in Josh Morris they possess the division’s in-form player, with the midfielder having scored 12 times already this season.

Page knows he and his team are facing a stiff test, but he says they will travel north with the intention of being the first team to take three points away from Glanford Park this term.

“Scunthorpe have been outstanding, and everybody I have spoken to about them says they are a good outfit,” said the Cobblers boss.

“We know we are in for a tough game and we respect them for that, but it is about us and we know that on our day we are a match for anybody. We will go there with that confidence and believe and go all out for a win.”

Scunthorpe are managed by former Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander, and Page says he has changed their style of play since taking over, and in a positive way.

“We have played Scunthorpe a couple of times when I was with my previous club, and they played a different way to how they play now,” said the Town manager.

“But you know that whenever you play a team managed by Graham Alexander it is going to be hard, because they do both sides of the game really well.

“They like to get the ball down and play, and I think their recruitment has been excellent. he has brought in some fantastic players, and they do the not so pretty side of it well too and work really hard for each other.

“We have good experiences against them in the past, and bad, but we know what we are up against on Saturday.

“What we have to do is recreate the levels that we have done in the past against the better teams in the division, and if we do that we stand a good chance of getting a positive result.”

The trip to Scunthorpe is the next instalment of a tough run of games for the Cobblers, who were beaten at home by in-form Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Next Saturday Millwall come to Northampton before the derby date at Peterborough United three days later, and Page says he and his players are relishing the challenge.

“It is a tough month, but that is what we are in the game and it’s why the lads want to be involved at this level,” he said.

“So bring it on, we are looking forward to it.”

The Cobblers will definitely be without Gaby Zakuani for the trip to Scunthorpe as he is on international duty, and his place at the heart of the Town defence is likely to go to Lewin Nyatanga.

Midfielder Harry Beautyman is facing a fitness fight after picking up a knee injury in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy loss at Coventry City, but everybody else is fit.

A Northampton family, who have had “their lives turned upside down,” are rallying together to give their sister, who is suffering from an aggressive brain tumour, the holiday of a lifetime.

Thirty-five-year-old Emma Ibbeson, from Spring Boroughs, was diagnosed with Grade IV Glioblastomas Multiforme in April 2016 and was rushed to intensive care at John Radcliffe hospital after suffering from a severe bleed on the brain.

Emma’s sister, Anne-Marie Hamilton, along with family friend Donna Rawlings, are hosting a Halloween-themed fundraising event at Cogenhoe football club to give Emma and her daughter the chance to make some everlasting memories.

Miss Hamilton said: “The news has absolutely ripped our lives apart and turned out lives upside down. Emma has always been a strong person, now it’s hard for her to accept that we have to be strong for her.

“Emma and her twelve-year-old daughter, Ellie Morrow, have never had a holiday before. They are both massive Disney fans so we are hoping to send them to Disneyland Paris with the funds raised.”

After an operation to debulk the tumour, Emma has since endured chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments and is currently waiting for further test results.

The Cogenhoe fundraiser, which is due to take place on the October 29, will play host to tombola stalls, a sponsored headshave and face painting stands.

Miss Hamilton’s daughter, 17-year-old Krystal, will be taking part in the sponsored headshave at 4pm.

Krystal said: “I want to raise money so my auntie and cousin can have some lovely days out together. We would be extremely grateful for any donations, however, large or small, as every penny will make a difference.”

In the evening, there will be a best-dressed competition along with raffle prizes donated from local companies.

The family are hoping to raise a total of £1,700 so they can send the pair on the holiday of a lifetime.

Miss Hamilton is appealing for anybody who can help with raffle and tombola prize donations.

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Job seekers from Daventry are being given the perfect opportunity to earn extra cash in the lead-up to Christmas.

A recruitment agency is seeking warehouse pickers and packers as businesses from across the area prepare for the festive season.

PMP Recruitment will be looking to fill more than 1,000 temporary and flexible positions across the town and the local area.

Salaries start from £7.35 per hour for day shifts up to £9.11 per hour for evening work, while many locations will include bonuses for working on Black Friday, which falls on November 25 this year. Some of the roles may become permanent positions.

Jamie Reynolds, PMP Recruitment’s managing director, said: “We have a large number of fantastic roles available that offer a competitive rate of pay and the chance of full-time employment.

“As well as people looking for permanent work, these flexible jobs will also be perfect for students coming home for Christmas, parents, semi retired people or anybody just looking to save up for the festive season.”

For more information, or to apply, visit www.pmprecruitment.co.uk.

Alex King insists records mean nothing as Saints head to Harlequins on Saturday.

King, who became Saints attack coach in the summer of 2013, has never seen his side lose to Quins.

They have won all seven meetings under his stewardship, including a dramatic 27-23 victory at The Stoop last February.

But King is refusing to think about the past, stressing that will have no impact on this weekend’s Aviva Premiership encounter.

“I don’t know much about records,” King said. “I know we had a couple of good wins against them last year and we just want to build on our victory against Exeter last week.

“It’s been a good week, we’re preparing well and we’re looking forward to going to The Stoop.

“It’s always a tough game down there, but the preparation has been good and we’re looking forward to going down there.”

Last season’s win at The Stoop came after Ben Botica failed to clear the ball out of play to bring an end to the game.

Quins were leading 23-20 and had the chance to boot the ball into the stands, but Botica’s kick got caught in the wind and Ben Foden went on to score a stunning winning try.

“We played really well there last season and they didn’t manage to kick the ball out so we took advantage of it,” King said.

“It was an important game in the context of the season because we kicked on and had a pretty decent three months.

“But it’s all in the past now and we just want to back up last week’s win with another big performance.”

If Saints are to win at The Stoop again, George North is likely to have a key role to play.

The Wales star lit up Franklin’s Gardens last Friday with a try and a stunning assist for Rory Hutchinson’s effort in the 20-19 win against Exeter. And King said: “George has been outstanding.

“He’s in the form of his life and we’re luck y to have him.”

Free-scoring Scunthorpe came into this as the Football League's form team and sitting pretty at the top of League One but there was little to separate them and Northampton in a hard-fought, entertaining contest.

The visitors held their own against the early pace-setters in a well-contested first-half that hinged on a two-minute passage of play on the cusp of half-time.

First, a glorious opportunity for Northampton and JJ Hooper went begging and within two minutes, Scunthorpe had the lead through the EFL's top scorer Josh Morris who sent a superb free-kick flying into the top corner.

The Cobblers could have felt hard done by to go into the break behind and they continued to carry a threat in the second-half but a straight red card to Matty Taylor then seemed to end all hope of getting something out of the game.

Down both a man and a goal to the league leaders, not many would have given Cobblers a sniff at that point but not once did they lie down and they were full value for their point which arrived thanks to Jak McCourt's first goal for the club 15 minutes from time.

It was no more than they deserved from the game, with the result keeping them fifth in League One.

There were three changes to the Northampton side which lost to Bristol Rovers in their last league game as Harry Beautyman and Gabriel Zakuani missed out through injury and international duty respectively, while Sam Hoskins dropped to the bench.

In came Lewin Nyatanga, Jak McCourt and Hooper, and it was the latter, on his first league start for Northampton, who had the first sight of goal when curling an effort straight at Luke Daniels inside the first 90 seconds.

But that aside, Scunthorpe had started with the confidence and freedom that comes with being league leaders, and Town goalkeeper Adam Smith had to be at his best to palm away a dangerous free-kick from Morris.

United were the game's superior side in the opening 15 minutes or so but Northampton gradually grew into the game and they got themselves a foot hold with a decent period of pressure that yielded two half chances.

Matty Taylor's 30-yard free-kick was heading for the top corner before Daniels' intervention, and then Brendan Moloney fizzed a left-footed piledriver a few feet over the crossbar.

David Mirfin cracked a half volley straight at Smith in reply for United, however the Cobblers immediately went up the other end where they carved open the game's first real cleat opening when an unmarked Alex Revell headed Moloney's cross into the side-netting.

The see-saw nature of the first-half continued thereafter as both teams threatened without creating too much in the way of goalscoring chances, though Northampton did need a brilliantly-timed David Buchanan block to prevent Duane Holmes from getting a clean shot away.

Then came perhaps the decisive period of play and the game's most glaring opportunity, and it went the way of Northampton when a Hooper found himself in space six yards from goal but he took too long to get the ball under control and a combination of goalkeeper and defender denied him from close range.

And that miss proved all the more costly just two minutes later when United broke the deadlock.

A cheap free-kick conceded by John-Joe O'Toole presented that man Morris with the chance to add to his already remarkable goal tally this season, and he didn't disappoint when curling a superb effort into the top corner.

It might have worse for Northampton at half-time too when Zander Diamond was somewhat fortunate to only be booked after hauling down Tom Hopper - though there were some suggestions he won the ball - as the Scunthorpe man raced through on goal, with Morris' subsequent free-kick hitting the wall.

Diamond almost atoned for that error early in the second-half when his header had to be clawed away by Daniels before United went close to making two through Hopper who shot too weakly having been teed up by the fleet-footed Holmes.

Moloney was causing problems with his marauding runs from right-back and he almost got free inside the area before being crowded out, while Anderson's timid header was straight at Daniels as Town pushed for an equaliser.

Moloney again was the architect of another half chance, this time O'Toole unable to grow enough to keep his header down, but Cobblers' hopes of getting back in the game were then dealt a huge blow as Taylor saw a straight red for a poor lunge on Neal Bishop.

At first, that seemed to knock the stuffing out of Northampton, who had been building up a head of steam, and it appeared the game was drifting to an inevitable conclusion as it entered the final quarter.

But Northampton never showed any sign of giving up, and with 15 minutes remaining, they were back on level terms at the third time of asking after a scramble in the penalty box.

Revell had the first effort with an improvised flick that hit the post and cannoned back out to McCourt whose follow-up effort was blocked - but he wouldn't be denied a first Northampton goal when lashing in the rebound.

Northampton were not looking the side with 10 men as they remained on the front foot after the equaliser and appeared more likely to win it with substitute Sam Hoskins having a late long-range attempt palmed away by Daniels.

Scunthorpe failed to muster anything of note and in truth, the home side were fortunate to hang on to the draw, which is how the game finished at the full-time whistle.

Scunthorpe: Daniels, Wiseman, Wallace, Mirfin, Toffolo, Dawson (c) (Madden 83), Bishop, Smallwood (Mantom 78), Holmes, Hopper, Morris

Subs not used: Anyon, Adelakun, Goode, Margetts, Townsend

Cobblers: Smith, Moloney, Diamond, Nyatanga, Buchanan (c), McCourt, Anderson (Hoskins 58), O'Toole, Taylor, Hooper (Richards 87), Revell

Subs not used: Cornell, Phillips, Byrom, Potter, Gorre

Referee: Darren Handley

Attendance: 4,714