A SCHOOL closed for a day after the sudden death of a respected science teacher.

St Benedict’s Roman Catholic College, in Colchester, was shut on Thursday so teachers can attend a requiem mass for married Wivenhoe dad Hugh Bostock.

He died unexpectedly on November 21.

Headteacher John O’Hara, paying tribute to the long-serving member of staff, who was in his 60s, said he would be sadly missed.

He said: “Hugh was a very dedicated teacher, always going the extra mile for the students.

“We have heard many anecdotes this week from the students of how he went out of his way to include them, help them or simply give them the self-confidence to succeed in science.

“As a college, we are still coming to terms with the fact that he is not around. He is greatly missed, especially by his colleagues in the department.”

The requiem mass will be held at 10am at St James the Less and St Helen RC Church, in Priory Street, Colchester.

Mr O’Hara said: “I have decided to close the college for the day to allow staff who wish to attend Hugh’s requiem to do so.”