Pupils protest at a Dover
school

You've commented in your droves after hundreds of pupils at
a Dover school staged a protest - over the times of their lunch
breaks!

Police were called to the Dover
Christchurch Academy shortly before 11.30am today, after between
200 and 300 pupils mounted a protest following changes to lunch
arrangements.

Two pupils, who were already excluded
from the school, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and
public order offences.

No one was injured, but the school
gate was damaged and three or four cars belonging to staff were
damaged.

One man, who was outside the school,
has also been taken into custody on suspicion of a public order
offence.

As you will see below, pupils and
others have been vocal over the protest.

Someone calling themselves Connor of year eight, said: "We all
know that the pupils want to have lunchtime with there friends, we
just wish that we had the old lunch time back.

"Today did get out of hand, as I was locked in the a block
while this was all kicking off.

"My mum tried
calling the school, but the lines were down, which worried my mum
even more."

Jessie said: "I agree that our lunches are at different times
and what the year 11 girls did (signing the petition) was alright
and they should fight for their rights.

"But the students took it too far, opening the gates and running
around outside the school area (see pictures here, courtesy
of Ben Rowe) is immature and humiliating all the students
and teachers in whole school.

Amy said: "Hopefully we got our point across today as we just
want our lunchtimes back to normal."

Jack Dash claimed the protest was a last resort. He said: "We
tried a peaceful approach, petitions and such, but it was thrown in
our faces.

"We all thought this would get a rise and are glad we got the
responce we did. If the problem isnt sorted out we'll
just be back out the front again."

The year 11 students are supporting
the head teacher, and a meeting is planned between student
representatives and the head teacher (pictured above with
police. Picture courtesy Alan Langley) .

Were you at the school today? Did you take part in the
protest? Email us your news and pictures to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk