Two secondary schools could have their intake increased by a third in order to meet the demands of the rising population in Waltham Forest.

Heathcote School and Holy Family Catholic School have been earmarked for an expansion, which would involve both taking 300 extra pupils each in 2017.

in October last year Waltham Forest council’s cabinet agreed there was an urgent need to expand schools ahead of the 2017 academic year because of population growth.

Heathcote School and Science College, in Chingford, and The Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth form, in Walthamstow, were identified as the most viable options.

Next week, the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve plans to expand the number of pupils from 900 to 1,200 at each of the schools.

Frederick Bremer School in Walthamstow has been identified as a "reserve option".

At present, new schools may only be built as academies or free schools.

The Lion Academy Trust Secondary Free School has received approval in principle from the government to open a school in Walthamstow next year.

However a site for the new school has yet to be announced, leading to doubts over this schedule.

The council did not support the free school application.

A decision will be made by the council's cabinet over the possible expansion of the two schools on Tuesday, next week.