American School in London reportedly downgraded by Ofsted after controversy over diversity education and staff meeting that sparked antisemitism allegations
The American School in London has reportedly been downgraded by Ofsted, the schools regulator, after a recent controversy over diversity education and a staff meeting that sparked antisemitism allegations.
The report, seen by the JC, apparently observes that pupils at Britain’s most expensive school “spend much time repeatedly considering identity (including analysing their own characteristics) rather than learning, for example, geographical knowledge,” and that older pupils at the St John’s Wood school felt “underprepared” because “the middle-school humanities curriculum…leads to a focus on social issues rather than subject knowledge and skills.”
The headteacher of the school – which counts several famous alumni and children of numerous celebrities – resigned at the end of last year, well short of the end of her ten-year term, after complaints were made by parents about the content of diversity education at the school, both to the media and directly to Campaign Against Antisemitism.
Concerns centred around the teaching of “critical race theory” and other controversial ideas, including “white privilege”. Campaign Against Antisemitism received concerning reports about the school apparently teaching that Jews are part of a privileged elite. A “Privilege Power” chart was reportedly disseminated, which appeared to show Jews just below Protestants and Catholics at the upper end of the “Spirituality-Religion” segment of the chart.
The introduction of racially-segregated after-school clubs reportedly upset numerous parents, many of whom are American.
In addition, allegations arose about a staff meeting in which the words “Nazi”, “swastika”, “Hitler” and “skinheads” were used by faculty members during what was described as a heated conversation about how some parents have reacted to the diversity curriculum.
The school denied that the inflammatory terms were used to describe parents but did not clarify in what context the terms were used. A spokesperson for the school did concede that remarks made during the meeting “could cause offence to the community,” with numerous Jewish families sending their children to the school.
Concerningly, the school’s statement noted that “There were questions asked about whether the response to racism is always as strong and immediate as the response to antisemitism.” This suggestion by one teacher, apparently in connection with parents, caused offence among colleagues, who passed on their concerns to parents and trustees.
Although the headteacher has resigned, concerns remain that the culture and curriculum are the product of wider thinking among senior staff.
Do you or your friends/family have stories of schoolteachers or pupils facing antisemitism at schools in the UK? Contact us at [email protected] or call +44 (0)330 822 0321.
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