Placard-waving protesters gathered outside a St Albans hotel to give Michael Gove a frosty welcome as he arrived in the city last week.

Among the campaigners were members of trade union GMB, students from Oaklands College and teachers who had forfeited their lunch break to make a stand.

Jon Berry, spokesman for the People’s Assembly Against Austerity who organised the peaceful protest, said: “Mr Gove is one of the Government’s most high-profile figures and there is a very strong feeling that he is presiding over the dismantling of public education and moving to private services to cut costs, which is to the detriment of children, families, students, teachers in St Albans and the rest of the country.

“We wanted to ensure he knew wherever he goes people are opposed to his views and ideas.”