HUNDREDS of angry pupils staged a walk-out at St Aelreds Catholic Technology College this afternoon to protest against plans to merge with Newton High School and create a £33m Academy.

Pupils walked out this afternoon, gathering on nearby fields.

A 15-year-old pupil, who has asked not to be named, said: "We don't want this! We were never given our say about these plans and that's no way to go about it. Now is the day for our voice to be heard.

"We don't want our school to be knocked down."

The pupils' actions were backed by Gerard Hoinville (45), who has a daughter at the school.

He said: "From what I hear they just all walked out after lunch and it seemed pre-arranged. A letter had been sent to the deputy head saying that the protest was going ahead.

"They (the school) said that if more than 25 pupils took part in a protest they couldn't stop them. But I don't think they expected this, every pupil did it.

"There is a huge strength of feeling among the kids. I'm 45 and from Newton and all my family went to that school. I support the actions of the kids. We have boycotted the decision, but it doesn't look like anyone is listening."

If proposals get the green light, the planned merger of both schools would see a £33m joint faith academy by 2011.

In February St Helens Council's Executive voted to approve the publication of Statutory Notices which propose the closure of Newton High School and St Aelreds.

A six-week consultation period over the closures began in March and ends this week. It is believed that is why pupils chose Thursday to stage their protest.

In the coming months St Helens Council's Executive Committee will make a final decision on the schools' fate.

Closures of both high schools would pave the way for the Academy being built at the Newton High site.

The Secretary of State will then make a final decision on whether to approve the Newton Academy, which supporters say would create a cutting edge learning centre for 1650 pupils aged 11 to 18.

Previously, council chiefs have said the final outcome should be known in June.

  • St Helens Council has issued a statement in response to the protest. A council spokesperson said: "There was a peaceful protest at St Aelred's when some pupils wished to register their objection to proposals for the new Academy. "The Executive Head Teacher met with a small delegation of pupils to listen to their views and they were given e mail access to send their views to the School Organisation and Forward Planning Manager at the Council. "At no time did anyone demand that they return to lessons and at no point were pupils refused the chance to sign the petition. The police were not called."