A COLCHESTER secondary school is to close in 2014.

Bosses at Essex County Council have decided they want to close Alderman Blaxill school, in Shrub End, despite a petition calling on them to let the school’s leadership decide if it closed attracting more than 700 signatures.

Education chiefs are also set to confirm that Thomas Lord Audley School, earmarked for closure until £130 million intended for expanding and rebuilding other Colchester secondary schools was lost last year, will stay open.