SCHOOLCHILDREN and sixth formers stormed County Hall yesterday, in a day of anti-tuition fees protests that saw mounted police forced to defend high street shops.

Two even reached the building’s roof, before pupils took their protest around the city and laying siege to banks.

Pupils as young as 14 from Cherwell School, in North Oxford, and Cheney School, in Headington, bunked off lessons to protest, despite warnings from teachers.

Others joined them from Leckford Place, the European School in Culham, and Oxford and Cherwell Valley College.

Organisers estimated more than 50 managed to get into the county council’s offices, before officers armed with batons and mounted police blocked the doors.

Dan Bowen, 17, from Cherwell School, said: “We are the people who will be most affected by the rise in tution fees, and we are standing up for what we believe.

“We saw what the university students did last week at the Radcliffe Camera, and we want to do the same. The aim of today has been to invite more people to come and join us, even our teachers.”

Louis Ramirez, 16, from the European School said: “There will be more occupations and demonstrations in Oxford.

“We want to get every school in Oxfordshire to send people to join us. This is only the beginning.”

But from his office overlooking the protest, county council leader Keith Mitchell tweeted: “County Hall invaded by an ugly, badly-dressed student rabble. God help us if this is our future.”

After leaving the council, protesters climbed the Oxford Castle mound before a disorganised march ambled through the city centre.

Stores were forced to close their doors as the 200-strong mob raced through the Clarendon Centre and Westgate Centre to the bemusement of shoppers, and police on horseback were used to stop crowds entering Lloyds on High Street and Barclays in Cornmarket Street.

Protesters said Cherwell and Cheney schools tried to stop pupils younger than sixth formers joining the protest.

In a letter to students, Cheney headteacher Jolie Kirby said the school had a responsibility for students in its care, and urged them to protest by writing to Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The letter added: “Sixth formers who wish to leave at the usual times will be able to do so, and I would ask for your leadership in acknowledging that younger students are legally required to be present in school, and that it is important that a good example is set of appropriate and legal action.”

But among the crowd that entered County Hall were dozens of 14 and 15-year-olds from both schools.

John Stamford O’Neill, 17, from Cheney School, said: “The school only allowed sixth formers to come down, but lots of young pupils have still got out through fire exits to join us. A lot more were barred at the door, but they will be affected more than anyone by the higher fees.”

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact Mrs Kirby or Paul James, headteacher at Cherwell School, for a comment.

Insp Clare Macintosh, of Thames Valley Police said officers cleared County Hall once the council confirmed they did not want protesters inside.

She said: “Their demonstration has been facilitated, it has been peaceful, with no incidents of criminal damage, no violence, and no-one arrested.

“There was a lot of running around in the cold, but they got their point across. There were a few individuals whose behaviour was starting to become a little less acceptable and we were pleased to see they were reined back and took into account the effect on members of the public.”