Students in Co Down left school early yesterday in protest at the appointment of Mr Martin McGuinness as Minister of Education.
Mr David Cunningham, principal of Kilkeel High School, said a number of pupils held a meeting at break time, after which most returned to class. However, around 30 had "disappeared", he said.
Around a quarter of the pupils held a protest nearby, where they signed a petition calling for the resignation of Mr McGuinness.