HITCHIN: A school in our town has experienced a 'deluge' of complaints from concerned parents after anti-vaxxers targeted pupils.

Parents of schoolchildren at Hitchin Boys' School have complained in large numbers after a group gathered outside the establishment on Grammar School Walk this week.

While the choice about vaccination remains a personal one for students and their families, ahead of the School Age Immunisation Service visiting HBS soon, the NHS is managing the consent and vaccination administration process directly, and have confirmed again that no student under 16 will be vaccinated without parental consent.

However, a group of anti-vaxxer protestors assembled outside the school - rated by Ofsted as outstanding - on Monday to protest.

In a letter sent to parents, seen by Hitchin Nub News, headteacher Fergal Moane explained the situation.

Mr Moane, who has earned acclaim for the calm and professional way he has guided his school through the challenges the Covid pandemic has brought, said:"We have been deluged yesterday [Monday] and this morning with complaints from parents and the public regarding anti-vaccination protestors that have targeted the school over recent days.

"Most complaints are about the behaviour and actions of protestors (over which we have no control) with some about the behaviour of our students and how they interact with them.

"On the topic of protestors, we have removed them from the school site twice in recent days, and they have made baseless legal threats against myself and my staff.

"Where they are trespassing on the school site, I have the power to act to remove them. When they are on the public highway (Grammar School Walk and Bancroft), we have no jurisdiction."

HBS have raised concerns to officers at Hitchin police station and asked for their support with further gatherings expected.

There remains in law a legitimate right to demonstrate but the school's trustees are aware of the protests and have also informed Herts Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd.

Among staff parents and pupils, as well as our wider community, HBS head Mr Moane is highly-respected. He added: "We have spoken to all students around ignoring the protestors, not accepting leaflets, not getting involved in debate with them and certainly avoiding any physical interactions.

"If students are anxious about information they have received and want a trusted source of information, the NHS have produced a guide for young people that explains the benefits and also the side effects and potential risks."

In what appears to be an organised group of protestors targeting teenagers in and around North Herts and wider afield across the whole county with various tactics, anti-vaxxers also targeted pupils at The Priory last week.

Students at the school on Bedford Road were praised for their mature behaviour after a group of anti-vaxxers gathered outside the gates.

Youngsters were hailed for the way they dealt with the group handing out leaflets opposing the Covid jab.

In a letter sent to parents seen by Hitchin Nub News, head teacher Geraint Edwards lauded pupils, saying they were a credit to the school.

Hertfordshire Constabulary have been approached by Nub News for comment.