Contractor Heron Bros started on site in August with the school set for completion in July 2013.

But the discovery of newts mean work on the new primary school at Oakley Vale has been suspended until next Spring – causing a delay of at least six months.

Northamptonshire County Councillor Andrew Grant, cabinet member for children, learning and skills, said: “There’s no denying that this is a setback but we appreciate the ecological significance of the situation.

“The presence of the newts means that we are not permitted to start work on site until Spring after the newts have been relocated.”

The delays mean pupils will start the 2013/14 educational year in different buildings.

Grant said: “Our immediate challenge has been to come up with an acceptable Plan B for the school that doesn’t compromise the quality of education for the school’s pupils

“We will be refurbishing the former junior block at Exeter Primary School so even though the school won’t start off in the new building, it will still open as Corby Primary Academy sponsored by the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust.”

Great crested newts have declined dramatically in the last 40 years and although still widespread across lowland England they are now uncommon.

Deterioration of habitat remains their biggest threat so the species is protected by UK and European wildlife law, meaning that it is an offence to kill, injure or disturb them or damage their habitat.