They have not listened to us so far, so the children felt they had to do something

Debbie Ashley parent governor

Only those taking mock GCSE exams had turned up for classes.

The closure plans have been endorsed by the ruling executive on Bristol City Council, following years of concern over poor standards.

It still has to be endorsed by the full council next month, but is expected to go ahead next summer.

Head's surprise

Debbie Ashley, a parent governor at the school, who has been campaigning against its closure, said the children felt the city council had ignored their views.

"They have not listened to us so far, so the children felt they had to do something," she said.

Lockleaze School was also chosen for closure

Headteacher Mike Rome said he was "surprised" by the protest, but said it was dignified and demonstrated the strength of opposition to the closure proposal.

"You have to agree with their sentiments," he added.

The city's Lockleaze School is also earmarked for closure.

Lawrence Weston School was filmed for a BBC series on troubled institutions by the business guru Sir John Harvey Jones.

He said the school did not stand "a cat in hell's chance" of survival, but returned a year later to find its fortunes reviving.

The school has only 320 pupils, and no sixth form.

GCSE gloom

Last month's closure recommendation was made despite improving exam results and the school climbing up government league tables.

All 20 of Bristol's secondary schools were under review, following alarm over the state of education in the city.

This year's GCSE results for the city were well below the national average.

A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said education leaders were trying to arrange a meeting with the pupils early next week to discuss their concerns.