Trusts "employ their own staff, set their own admission arrangements, and manage their own land and assets" - and could allow St Joseph's to remove itself from the closure plans.

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At St Joseph Church in Medford, north-west of Boston, a private funeral was being held for 29-year-old restaurant worker Krystle Campbell, who was killed at the marathon finish line after going to watch the race with a friend.

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"I think St Joseph's should stay because it's a high-performing school - not just academically but right across everything - sporting, creative and so on, " she said.

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Joseph News-Press in Missouri from 1990 to 1995, The St.

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At present, St Joseph's works collaboratively with its neighbouring school, says Mr Flello - and he says it is a model of the "collegiate" approach that should be introduced.

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St Joseph's is a selective school, but entrance is not based on a straightforward 11-plus system.

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