By Justin Parkinson BBC News Online education staff

Opposing war is a matter of conscience, say school children

It is the biggest demonstration of political opinion by pupils in British history.

Despite threats of expulsion and the disruption to their studies, many still feel they have to defy the rules.

Hundreds, often as young as 11, have massed on Parliament Square, Westminster, waving placards bearing messages like "Not in my name" and "Don't attack Iraq".

'War isn't right'

Is this a sign of growing engagement with political issues or just a chance to get a day off school?

Richard, 15, was one of 10 pupils to walk out of classes at his school in London to go to Parliament Square. He sees the protest as a matter of conscience.

Richard said: "It's just what I believe in. War isn't right. If your city was going to be bombed and your family was going to be affected, how would you feel?

Maybe we are more mature than school kids were during the last Gulf war Richard, 15

"I'm prepared to take my punishment. I've been given a Saturday two-hour detention. I'll probably get into more trouble if I keep missing school to protest, but we have to face the consequences."

The actions have divided opinion among head teachers. Most feel pupils should have an outlet for their views, but this does not often extend to condoning what is, in strict terms, truancy.

Richard added: "One of my teachers said she would have done the same thing if she had been my age.

Citizenship

"Maybe we are more mature than school kids were during the last Gulf war. We have access to the internet, more news and more information generally."

The government introduced compulsory citizenship lessons for all pupils aged 11 to 16 last September, providing a forum to discuss politics and current affairs.

The aim was to develop young people into "responsible citizens", who could play an "active" part in society.

The demonstration in Parliament Square is certainly active, but is it responsible?

The Secondary Heads Association has asked its members to punish children who walk out of lessons like any other truants.

Assistant general secretary Bob Carstairs thinks citizenship classes have raised political awareness.

Are children becoming more politically aware?

He said: "There's never been anything like this involving school children. I can remember the mass student protests of 1968, but those involved were of university age and above.

"There seem to be a number of factors which have led to the current situation.

"Citizenship classes have had an effect on the way children think about big issues, causing them to question more.

"On the other side, the mass media provide much more information than they used to. The enormous length of the build-up to war has meant there has been more time to form opinions.

"Also, at the time of the last Gulf war hardly anyone had a mobile phone and the internet wasn't really around.

"These are readily available now and have allowed children to communicate with each other and organise protests much more effectively."

The banner-wavers of Parliament Square have made national news, giving pupils' views a previously unknown level of exposure.

Mark, 15, said: "In certain circumstances people have been using the protests as an excuse to get off school. But most of us are here because we really believe.

Voter apathy

"You can see it in everyone's faces. It's cold and not very pleasant, so we are not here for fun."

At the last general election, less than 40% of 18 to 24 year olds were estimated to have cast a ballot, dropping to just 11% at last year's local elections in England.

So even if interest in current affairs, fuelled by the media, has grown, young people remain disillusioned with mainstream politics.

The Electoral Commission revealed last month that it was considering lowering the minimum voting age in an effort to re-engage interest.

Is the direct action of the last few weeks an indication of things to come: a manifestation of "citizenship" vastly different to that envisaged by the government?

Katrina, 14, said: "This is the first proper war of my lifetime. I was only two or three when the last conflict in Iraq happened.

"It's going to affect me in the long run. I'm not especially political but I felt I had to do something to make my opinion heard. I hope they are not going to suspend us."

Freddie, 15, added: "I think on the whole that kids are becoming more political.