Pupils at a Hitchin school have been praised for their mature behaviour after a group of anti-vaxxers gathered outside the gates.

Students at the Priory School on Bedford Road have been hailed for the way they handled people 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.

"As many of you will be aware," Mr Edwards wrote to concerned Priory parents, "this afternoon [Friday, October 1] we had a group of anti-vaccine protestors outside the school site and along the road to the BP garage.

"Myself and members of my leadership team were out on duty throughout to ensure the safeguarding of our students as they left the school site.

"I spoke to the protestors' spokesperson directly to ensure they understood we were there to ensure the safety of our students.

"What I wanted to avoid was exacerbating the situation, which would have given greater publicity to this group and potentially caused unnecessary distress to my students."

The protestors handed out leaflets and talked to some students. Mr Edwards and his team monitored the situation carefully and checked with a number of students what had been said to them and provided reassurance where necessary.

Mr Edwards added to parents: "Some students may want to have a discussion with you regarding what they were told or what they have read.

[I]"I would encourage you to do this to ensure that any misconceptions are cleared up.

"The students were a credit to the school, being polite and courteous."