Politics · United Kingdom · 43 mins ago
Review says three in five Jewish pupils face antisemitism at school
A government-commissioned review found three in five Jewish pupils had experienced antisemitism at school in England.
Its survey also found that one in five pupils had witnessed antisemitism, and fewer than half of those affected believed it would be addressed if reported.
The review followed the cancellation of Jewish MP Damien Egan's visit to a school in Bristol after planned protests.
It recommends treating antisemitism as a distinct form of harm and strengthening schools’ safeguarding and reporting measures.
The proposals also include staff training, better teaching about Jewish life and Holocaust education, and guidance on political impartiality.
The government is expected to support the recommendations, while schools cannot be required to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
The review is due to be published the following day, with its recommendations intended to help schools respond to antisemitism.
A government-commissioned review says three in five Jewish pupils in its survey had experienced antisemitism at school.
The survey also found that one in five pupils had witnessed antisemitism, while fewer than half of those who reported it felt it would be addressed.
The review recommends schools recognise antisemitism as a distinct form of harm and proposes 27 measures to tackle it.
Recommendations include training staff, strengthening safeguarding and online safety policies, and teaching about Jewish life.
The government is expected to encourage schools to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, but it cannot make adoption compulsory.
- Who
- Jewish pupils in England’s schools, and the schools and staff responsible for their safety.
- What
- A review recommends measures to address antisemitism in schools. Its survey found three in five Jewish pupils had experienced it.
- When
- The review was due to be published on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- English schools.
- Why
- The review found evidence of antisemitism and underreporting, and says schools should identify and address antisemitism as a distinct form of harm.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Damien Egan’s planned visit to Bristol Brunel Academy was cancelled for safety reasons after pro-Palestinian activists planned protests outside the school.
The review’s findings were reported ahead of its expected publication.
The independent review was due to be published.
- Survey finding
- Three in five Jewish pupils had experienced antisemitism at school.
- Witnesses
- One in five pupils said they had witnessed antisemitism.
- Reporting
- Fewer than half felt antisemitism would be addressed if reported.
- Recommendations
- The review is expected to make 27 recommendations.
- IHRA definition
- The government is expected to encourage schools to adopt it, but cannot make adoption compulsory.
4 sources
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What people are saying
What this review has demonstrated is that a general commitment to tackling racism or prejudice or hate has not properly identified antisemitism as a particular kind of hate. And certainly that's one of the themes of this report.
Treating antisemitism in schools as a safeguarding issue will have the benefit of creating an explicit duty on all schools to address this as they would any other threat to children's safety, and will strengthen accountability.
It's a bit scary sometimes, but you know you're safe.
Other religions get to be out and wear their necklaces and be proud - I don't get why Jewish people can't do it as much.