ADVOCATES for another Coburg high school have rallied against a lack of state government action on the issue, saying the need for another education institute is having an impact on nearby schools already bursting at the seams.

High School for Coburg co-founder Cate Hall said the area had more than 20 primary schools but no all-access year 7–12 high school. She said students had to travel to surrounding schools and local families considered moving away.

About 50 people turned up for a "Walk to No School Day" rally last week.

The protest marked a year since the release of an education department report that Ms Hall said proved Coburg needed another secondary school.

The movement has received letters of support from local schools including Northcote High, Thornbury High and Brunswick East Primary.

"We do believe this government has listened. We're just frustrated by the lack of action," Ms Hall said.

Brunswick Secondary College principal Vivienne Tellefson said about a third of the school's 900 students came from Coburg.

The figure includes students north and south of Bell Street – the boundary of the school's enrolment area.

"Most, if not all, of the year 7 students who applied from Coburg have been accommodated in the school," she said.

Thornbury High principal Peter Egeberg said while enrolments had dramatically increased, only about four or five year 7 students typically came from Coburg each year.

Department of Education and Early Childhood spokesman Stuart Teather said Education Minister Martin Dixon had asked the department to review demographic data and explore options for a secondary school in Coburg.

"A preliminary report is expected to be prepared by the end of 2011, with a detailed report due in March 2012," he said.