Today, Sir David Bell’s independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges has been published, making 27 recommendations.
Campaign Against Antisemitism made a submission to the review, with our own recommendations.
Many of our recommendations have been adopted, in full or part, by Sir David, or mirrored in this proposals, which the Government is set to accept in full.
Sir David’s key findings include:
- One in five young people have witnessed or experienced antisemitism.
- Almost three in five Jewish youngsters have done so, as have many teachers.
- This includes stereotypes, jokes and derogatory comments in social spaces, classrooms and online.
- Pupils and students are the most common perpetrators.
- Children don’t bother reporting incidents because they don’t believe they will be addressed.
- Teachers report high levels of workplace antisemitism and inadequate organisational responses.
- This problem has been growing for a decade, reaching high levels since October 2023.
- Teachers and administrators think they know more about antisemitism and how to tackle it than they actually do.
- There is no consistent system-wide reference point for identifying and responding to antisemitism, and while awareness of the International (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism is high, few use it in practice
- Antisemitism is not always recognised as a form of harm that may raise safeguarding concerns, and victims often don’t get the support they need
- Pupils at Jewish schools often experience or fear antisemitic abuse while travelling, leading some to conceal visible signs of their Jewish identity.
- School leaders in Jewish schools carry significant additional safeguarding and security responsibilities, creating substantial workload, wellbeing and workforce pressures.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This significant report showcases what Jewish children are going through in this country. English schools have utterly failed in their duty of care to protect their Jewish pupils and educate their peers not to hate Jews, while Jewish schools are burdened with security responsibilities on top of education. The Jewish community already knows all this, but it’s vital that the country starts to understand the gravity of what is happening. It’s not just the victims who matter but the perpetrators, who are the future citizens and leaders of this country – and their teachers.
“No doubt politicians will emerge to wishfully insist – contrary to the evidence – that ‘there is no place for antisemitism in our schools’. But of course there is – there is lots of it. David Bell has shown that. The discussion must now turn to why. Pupils are being radicalised online, at home and even in the classroom, often with the blessing of callous, agenda-driven teachers’ unions obsessed with demonising the Jewish state and anyone who dares identify with it, as naturally most Jews do.
“Sir David’s recommendations are a first step to tackle this abominable development in British education, and we welcome the adoption or mirroring of many recommendations that we made to the review. The Government, relevant bodies and schools must urgently move on to implementation – before it’s too late.”
If you are a policymaker and would like to discuss Sir David’s review or our recommendations, please e-mail [email protected].
