PUPILS at Prince Henry’s High School walked out on classes yesterday in protest at the Government’s planned tuition fees hike.

The students walked out at 11am and gathered in the lobby, while some planned to march to Evesham Town Hall. The demonstration was in protest of the Government’s plans to increase tuition fees to £9,000 a year and to scrap the educational maintenance allowance.

Prince Henry’s students called it an ‘injustice’ that they should be saddled with huge debts at such a young age.

Ella Wright, aged 14, said: “Everyone at school age will be affected by this rise in fees which will mean poorer pupils will not be able to afford to go to university. We are not of voting age so this is the only action we can take.”

Edward Gemson, 18, said: “It has really raised awareness of the injustice of the Government’s decision and students feel empowered that we can stop this now.”

The school’s headteacher Bernard Roberts said: “I think this is a very difficult situation for school managers to find themselves in.

“An issue will come along once in a while that students feel strongly about and many will feel sympathetic with their cause. But we have a duty of care towards our students and unless they have permission from their parents our duty is to keep them in the classroom.”

Demonstrations took place around the country yesterday and Miss Wright’s mum, Frances said: “Children of my daughter’s age did not get to vote for this yet it will fundamentally affect how they start off in life and she has my full support.”

Evesham High would not confirm if any protest took place there.