At least 10 students are behind bars after disrupting exams at a Phillipi school in Cape Town.

They were among hundreds of Lagunya Finishing School pupils who tried to invade schools in Khayelitsha and Phillipi on Friday.

The protest is part of the students' campaign to put pressure on government to reverse its decision to close the school.

Police say a Phillipi learner was injured.

Dozens of learners chanted and sang expressing their frustration over what they say is government's failure to give them a chance to complete their education.

Police acted swiftly to control the rowdy crowd and arrested 10 of the students who now face charges of attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravention of Public Gathering Act.

The arrested students will appear in court on Monday.