Swastikas in class and Nazi salutes: The alarming scale of antisemitism in England's schools

An independent report led by former chief inspector of schools Sir David Bell reveals a sharp rise in antisemitism in English schools. One in five students witnessed antisemitic incidents; among Jewish students, three in five experienced direct hate. The report includes 27 recommendations, including adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.

A comprehensive independent report led by former chief inspector of schools Sir David Bell reveals a sharp rise in antisemitism in the British education system. According to a survey conducted as part of the review, one in five students reported witnessing antisemitic incidents at their schools, and among Jewish students, the number jumps to three in five who experienced hate directly. Fewer than half of students felt that complaints would be handled properly if reported to management, leading to significant underreporting. The report presents 27 recommendations to combat the phenomenon, which the British government is expected to adopt in full. The recommendations include full adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism, training teaching staff to identify contemporary antisemitism, strengthening Holocaust and modern Jewish studies, and launching campaigns to protect Jewish students on public transport. The British Department for Education is expected to review progress on implementing the guidelines within a year.