Students will attempt to put pressure on the Government's higher education reforms as Ministers today set out proposals for a shake-up of secondary schools.

They plan to demand a cap on university tuition fees of #3,000 is not removed, during a rally today in Birmingham city centre.

Students last year lost a battle to prevent the introduction of tuition top-up fees from this September tripling the annual fee they pay.

Focus has now been switched to gaining assurances the #3,000 charge is not increased further when it comes up for review in 2008. The protest will see supporters march from New Street to Chamberlain Square at 11am.

Richard Angell, president of Birmingham University's guild of students, said: "This march shows how we stand together opposed to fees, the marketisation of higher education and the debt our students now face.

"The Government's policy is flawed and has turned our brightest students away form higher education."