The UK Government has announced an independent review into how schools and colleges identify and prevent antisemitism, to be led by Sir David Bell, former permanent secretary at the Department for Education.
The review will gather input from “headteachers, community groups and religious representatives in a call for evidence from spring,” with final recommendations due by autumn.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted the urgency, stating:“The figures are stark and clear – school-related antisemitic incidents remain double pre-2023 levels, and too many Jewish teachers who raised concerns felt that nothing was done. That is not acceptable.”
She added: “This review will help to ensure schools and colleges have the confidence and support to tackle antisemitism.”
Sir David Bell said: “I am pleased to have been asked by the Secretary of State for Education to undertake this vital work. Antisemitism is a scourge, and no child or young person or teacher should be subject to it, not least when attending school or college.”
The review will examine current prevention efforts, how incidents are handled, and the influence of “external campaigners in influencing school and college decision making.”
According to the Community Security Trust, there were “204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, double the levels typically reported before 2023.”
The announcement also referenced a recent Ofsted inspection at a Bristol school after Jewish MP Damien Egan was reportedly prevented from visiting.
Ofsted said it had concerns the visit may have been postponed due to “coordinated pressures from staff, and external groups,” but inspectors “found no evidence to substantiate concerns of political bias at the school after visiting.”
