THE Government has officially confirmed that two Colchester schools will not close to make way for an academy.

Schools Minister Jim Knight has sent Colchester MP Bob Russell a letter confirming it would "not be appropriate" to establish the academy at Monkwick to replace Alderman Blaxill and Thomas, Lord Audley College.

The letter comes a fortnight after the Gazette revealed that Education Secretary Ed Balls told the House of Commons that Essex County Council wanted to keep the schools open.

Pupils returning to both schools today are expected to be told the good news - even though the county council has still to make a statement on the decision.

Mr Russell said Mr Knight's letter would not have been written without the county council being involved in discussions about it, and it indicated the final decision to save the schools had now been made.

He believed new council education supremo Simon Walsh was behind the council's apparent change of heart.

It is believed with the two schools' fortunes hinging on their progress in inspections and exams - officials felt it would be inappropriate to go public with a message that they had been saved.

An alternative solution is now believed to be being sought, with many, including Mr Russell, favouring the creation of a "Roman River Schools Federation" comprising Stanway, Alderman Blaxill and Thomas, Lord Audley schools, under the executive headship of Jonathan Tippett, who is currently managing all three.