Review to urge schools in England to treat antisemitism as distinct safeguarding risk

A government-commissioned review is expected to recommend that schools and colleges in England treat antisemitism as a distinct safeguarding risk, with clearer reporting, teacher training and education about Jewish life. The government is expected to accept all 27 recommendations when the review is presented to Parliament on Wednesday, the BBC reports. [1]

Led by former Ofsted chief inspector Sir David Bell, the review would make anti-Jewish hatred a specific category of harm rather than relying on existing approaches to racism and bullying. It is also expected to call for a hotline offering school leaders immediate advice and stronger guidance on political impartiality for teachers.

The review follows concerns about antisemitism in schools. Community Security Trust figures cited by the BBC show 178 reported incidents in schools in the first half of 2026, up 59% from 112 in the same period a year earlier. The Trust said this was the highest first-half total it had recorded.

Bell told the BBC the recommendations were for all schools and colleges, not only Jewish schools. He said antisemitism “crosses all boundaries”.

The review is also expected to recommend government adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. The BBC says the government cannot make the definition compulsory; some of its examples have also proved controversial. The Board of Deputies of British Jews supports its use, saying it could help schools understand contemporary antisemitism.

The Department for Education declined to comment before publication. [1]