Imperial College London (ICL) has drastically scaled back use of its Teddington sports facilities, fuelling further speculation the site could welcome Turing House School next year.

The playing fields at Udney Park Road were thought to be the preferred choice for the free school before failing to open this September.

The ICL website now says it will focus on its newly-acquired sports ground in Heston, with all student sport use at the Teddington playing fields suspended.

A spokesman said: "No decision has been made on the future of the Teddington site.

"Imperial College London has recently completed the purchase of a new sports ground in Heston, offering a greater range of facilities than those available at Teddington and in a location closer to another college sports ground.

"From Imperial's next academic year, beginning in October, college sporting activities will be suspended at Teddington while the college assesses the longer-term future of the site, in line with the college's responsibility to ensure that all of its assets are used efficiently and effectively."

Hundreds of parents were left desperately scrambling for secondary school places when Turing House was refused permission to open for this academic year in March.

Uncertainty over a permanent site for the school meant the minister for schools and Department for Education (DfE) deferred the opening until September 2015, despite giving it the go-ahead last year.

A spokesman for Turing House School said: "Unfortunately I'm unable to comment further at this stage because details of our site negotiations remain confidential.

"However, talks have continued with Richmond Council officers and Government officials over the summer, and we will send out an update on progress as soon as we can."

The original school proposal was put forward by a group of parents and charity the Russell Education Trust (RET).

On September 1, the Turing House School Twitter account told followers to "stand by for update on site progress soon" but further information has yet to follow.

In 2012 it was decided various sites the school was interested in were unsuitable, including the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington and Clifden Road in Twickenham.

Last year, the school announced Colin Mackinlay will be headteacher when it opens.

An open day for the free school will be held at York House in Twickenham on October 7 at 7.30pm.