Stanwell and St Cyres secondary schools have today received a letter from residents objecting to Welsh Government COVID-19 protective measures and urging teachers not to enforce them.

It was penned by a member of the social media campaign group 'UsForThem Penarth', largely comprised of local parents.

Other parents have said they are "appalled" by the letter, which takes issue with routine testing at schools and mask-wearing in classrooms.

According to its author, the letter received 59 signatures of support from parents, guardians, grandparents and the wider community.

It calls the guidance "completely unprecedented and wholly unethical".

"We see no justification for subjecting healthy children to continuous and invasive testing," the letter states.

It goes on to call the enforcement of mask-wearing in classrooms "unacceptable and should always be a matter of personal choice."

"We do not give our consent to the above COVID-19 measures if enforced."

The Welsh Government's operational guidance for schools currently recommends "routine testing for learners in Year 10 and higher".

On mask-wearing, it states: "Face coverings should also be worn in the classroom by staff and learners in secondary schools where social distancing arrangements [...] cannot be maintained, as well as in all areas of the school building outside the classroom."

According to a source within 'UsForThem Penarth', the campaign has been spearheaded by Anna Brees, a local parent, ex-BBC journalist and founder of the controversial local news provider SMTV Penarth.

She is "anti-mask" and earns £2,000 a month through a Patreon account that promises to "protect children, hold the media to account, and expose corruption."

"We want to put pressure on the headteachers of St Cyres and Stanwell and say 'no, no masks in the classroom'," she told Nub News.

"There will be young children too scared to say they're suffering, that they're uncomfortable and hot.

"There are also potential bacterial infections for children, as there's some kids that won't have access to a clean mask every day," she continued.

"We feel very passionate about it, and that's why the letter has been sent."

One member of 'UsForThem Penarth' explains her opposition to the government's measures:

"Right through this pandemic the needs of our children seem to be at the bottom of every Government's priority list.

"We should be gravely concerned that our young children are being diagnosed with clinical depression, that there are exponential rises in the rates of self-harm and suicidal ideation, and a resurgence of eating disorders," she continued

"Currently there is no compelling or high quality scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of masking healthy children in schools and healthy people in the community."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children over the age of 12 should wear masks in line with recommended practice for adults in their country or area.

It cites evidence that teenagers can infect others in the same way as adults.

An alienated member of 'UsForThem Penarth' left the group this afternoon. She told Nub News the group is not the forum for discussion it presented itself as.

"I joined this group thinking it was for parents to have a debate about masks and talk about concerns." she said.

"But when I shared my information, I was then told quite quickly that it was a no-mask group and that the letter wasn't just for parents and carers but was being offered to the wider community to sign."

Anna Brees then urged her to leave the group, saying: "We need to feel positive and united."

"I am shocked," continued the member. "It's not a platform for discussion. They act like they're speaking for everyone but they're not. It's all blown my mind a little bit.

"I also don't know why they're canvassing schools because it's the government that have made the decision, which schools will be following. I feel very sorry for teachers at the moment."

A parent as Stanwell School, who is not part of the group, told Nub News:

"I'm a local parent still recovering from Covid, all my children were infected and are still struggling with symptoms.

"I'm appalled to hear of a 'secret group' trying to ban the wearing of masks in schools and encouraging their followers to break COVID law by delivering leaflets and knocking on neighbours for signatures.

"Throughout the pandemic, Anna Brees has used her platforms to whip up fear and anxiety about wearing masks. She plants the seed, creates the drama and in my view it's done to increase her Patreon subscriptions.

"Parents should encourage their children not to be worried about masks. I believe the symptoms most claim to get from mask-wearing are due to anxiety caused by the parents.

"I also worry about the teachers who put themselves at risk and may have children and/or vulnerable family members at home."

Nub News has approached the schools for comment.