Antisemitism in schools ‘shocking’, government expert warns BBC

Jewish children in England are facing a level of antisemitism in schools and colleges that a senior government-appointed expert has described as “shocking,” according to findings published from an independent review into the issue.

The review, which examined the experiences of Jewish pupils and students across educational settings in England, found widespread incidents of harassment, discrimination, and hostility. Some children reported being subjected to Holocaust denial, physical intimidation, and social exclusion specifically because of their Jewish identity.

What the review found

Researchers spoke with hundreds of students, parents, and teaching staff during the course of the review. The findings paint a troubling picture. Jewish pupils described encountering antisemitic slurs in classrooms, corridors, and online — often with little or no intervention from staff. In some cases, teachers themselves were reported to have made inappropriate remarks.

One in three Jewish students surveyed said they had either hidden their identity or avoided discussing their background at school to stay safe. That’s a number that experts say should alarm policymakers.

Still, the review found significant variation between institutions. Some schools had strong policies and trained staff who responded quickly to incidents. Others had almost nothing in place.

Expert reaction

The government’s adviser on the review told the BBC that what they uncovered went beyond what they had anticipated. “The scale and severity of what Jewish children are experiencing is shocking,” the adviser said. “These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern, and it demands an urgent, structured response from government and school leaders alike.”

The findings come against a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents nationally. The Community Security Trust recorded more than 4,100 antisemitic incidents across the UK in 2023 — a record high and a 147% increase compared to the previous year, driven in part by the conflict in the Middle East.

Government response

Ministers have said they take the findings seriously. The Department for Education confirmed it is reviewing the recommendations and is expected to issue a formal response within weeks. Among the measures being considered are mandatory antisemitism training for teachers, clearer reporting mechanisms for pupils, and updated guidance for schools on handling religiously motivated harassment.

But campaigners say warm words won’t be enough.

Jewish community groups have been pushing for statutory obligations on schools, not just voluntary guidance, arguing that without binding rules, too many institutions will do the bare minimum.

What happens next

The review’s authors are calling on the government to act before the next academic year. They want a dedicated antisemitism lead appointed within the Department for Education and a national monitoring system to track incidents in schools consistently across all local authorities.

Whether ministers move quickly enough remains to be seen. For the Jewish families who spoke to the review, speed matters. Their children are in classrooms right now — and many of them don’t feel safe.