PLANS to shut a secondary school which counts Rio Ferdinand and Stephen Lawrence amongst its former pupils look set to go ahead – despite overwhelming opposition.

Greenwich Council is proposing a phased closure of Blackheath Bluecoat – with the 311-year-old school completely shut by the end of August 2014.

A cabinet decision is due to be made on Tuesday, with the director of children’s services Gillian Palmer recommending the closure.

This is despite 91 per cent of 552 respondents to the council’s consultation – which saw a number of bad-tempered public meetings - saying the school should be kept open.

Along with completed questionnaires from pupils – many of whom blamed the school’s bad reputation for its plight – there were also 170 letters from the youngsters opposing the plans.

They joined church groups, staff, governors, the Conservative group and others in expressing concern at the proposal.

Greenwich Council blames falling pupil numbers and a spiralling financial deficit for the closure – saying it is no longer sustainable and is a drain on resources.

However, the school insists it has begun to turn around its performance, pointing to record GCSE results last year.

The cabinet report states: "Despite the range of measures to try to improve the pupil recruitment, including the federation with St Cecilia’s, there is no evidence that recruitment to the school is improving.

“It is projected that the size of the already large budget deficit will increase to £1.521m by next year.

“The director of children’s services has been prepared to consider all practicable ideas for eliminating the deficit.

“But none have been suggested that would produce a balanced budget over the next year and at the same time recoup the deficit and ensure the long term sustainability of the school.”

The school had been originally intended to close by 2013, but the process will be extended following concerns from governors.