THE fate of Colchester’s Thomas Lord Audley School is again hanging in the balance.

Along with Alderman Blaxill School, in Shrub End, the Monkwick comprehensive was due to stop taking new pupils from September next year.

But the debate on Thomas Lord Audley has been reignited by Education Secretary Michael Gove’s announcement the Government was scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Councillors voted to close Thomas Lord Audley on the basis it would pave the way to netting £180million to compensate for the loss of the school by improving others.

Now, Conservative politicians in Colchester are seeking more talks with their colleagues at County Hall in the hope of bringing about a last-minute reprieve.

Jeremy Lucas, a county council cabinet member who represents Colchester’s Drury division, said: “Certainly, this announcement opens up the possibility Thomas Lord Audley will stay open, because clearly the situation has to be reviewed.

“It is a shame the Labour Government made such a mess of the public finances that the planned investment in Colchester’s schools cannot be afforded.

“Now I and my colleagues Kevin Bentley and John Jowers will have more discussions with the council’s schools portfolio holder Stephen Castle and leader Peter Martin.”

Liam Ward, a governor at Thomas Lord Audley, said: “Our federation with Alderman Blaxill and the Stanway School goes from strength-to-strength.

“I hope now the threat of closure will be removed, so we can forward plan and continue to improve.”

Tim Young, leader of the Labour group on Colchester Council, also predicted Thomas Lord Audley would stay open.

He criticised the coalition Government for scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme, calling the decision “crass and short-sighted”.

Mr Young added: “Colchester pupils are being taught in buildings which are not fit for purpose and now there is no chance of that changing. It is a dreadful decision, which we will regret for years.”

Colchester MP Bob Russell. who has campaigned against the school closure plans, was unavailable for comment.