A GROUP of sixth form students from Hornsey School for Girls joined thousands at a protest march in central London against rising tuition fees.

The school said a “small number of pupils” had parental permission to miss classes for the day, while another group of around 30 pupils who did not have permission were also determined to leave.

A demonstration is understood to have taken place this morning on school grounds, in Inderwick Road, and police were called to stop the protest getting out of hand.

While most pupils continued with classes, some sixth formers left the premises without permission and were handed letters to parent explaining the school's position on the matter.

In a statement, the school said: “A small group of sixth form students wanted to take part in a demonstration in central London.

“The school did not agree that they could leave the premises, but a few were determined to leave.

“A meeting was then held with the school council – who represent the students - so they could air their views.

"Most pupils have now returned to their classes except representatives in the sixth form who have parental permission to attend the protest.”

Police, who were called out at around 11.40am did not make any arrests and no further action will be taken.

The walkout in Hornsey mirrors action at schools and universities up and down the country, as thousands missed lessons and lectures, and a protest march took place in Whitehall.

A police van was surrounded and vandalised during the march, as many activists were hemmed in by police to prevent an outbreak of violence seen during the last protest against the government's plan to raise tuition fees.

Three people have been arrested and police are reporting two of their officers have been taken to hospital for injuries.