YOUNG people from Camden are among thousands taking part in a protest, as MPs prepare to vote on whether to raise tuition fees to �9,000 a year for English students.

Up to 20 sixth formers from Camden School for Girls have joined a protest in central London, after they took part in a sit-in at the school overnight.

One of them told the Ham&High: “If they vote this through, it’s going to affect me. I’ve had to think about changing my course to something that will get me a job straight away to pay back my loan.

“I was going to do history, but what can you do with that besides become a teacher?”

However, a spokeswoman for the Kentish Town secondary said that lessons were continuing as normal.

She said: “All students went to lessons yesterday, including the sixth form. Some did stay all last night, supervised by their teachers in their common room, and all students, including sixth formers, are in lessons today.”

There have been reports that pupils at Hampstead School have also walked out of lessons to join the protest.

Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park closed yesterday at 2pm, amid fears that pupils were planning to stage a sit-in. But the headteacher, Jo Armitage, said the school was open today.

She added: “As with previous protests, students with written parental permission in advance of the day have been allowed to leave school and attend [the protest].”

The young people are hoping that their action will influence the way MPs vote today.

A debate on the issue opened in the House of Commons at 12.15pm today and this can last a maximum of five hours. MPs will then vote on the proposed changes to Higher Education funding.

The Ham&High will be following the debate and the protests throughout the day.