The tuition fees rise seemed to be having little effect on the students at Caterham High School celebrating their places at university.

Former head girl Amber Preston is going to the University of Leicester to study media, communication and society.

She said: “I’m sad to leave Caterham High because it’s been such a big part of my life for the last seven years but I’m excited for university.”

Milan Taylor, of Hainault, used his high grades to guarantee a scholarship to Aston University in Birmingham.

He said: “I needed AAB because that would reduce the cost to �4,100. My parents were a bit worried about the fees.”

Head of sixth form Bruce Johnson said he had not seen a decrease in the number of students applying to university.

He said: “In an area like this and a school like this, most people will still go to university.

“In poorer area it may be a bigger problem but the parents we have in this area will do anything for their kids to go to university.

“That’s not to say the fees are right, I just don’t think they will affect us that much.”

He hailed the pupils leaving the school, in Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, the “best year ever”.