Headlines
Britain launches review into school-related antisemitism
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Quick Summary
Britain’s government has launched an independent review into school- and college-related antisemitism amid findings that such incidents in England have doubled since before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, with 204 school-related episodes recorded in 2025 alone.
Britain Begins Independent Review After Sharp Rise in School Antisemitism
Government Response to Rising Antisemitism in Schools
Background and Recent Trends
LONDON, March 4 (Reuters) - Britain's government on Wednesday launched an independent review into antisemitism in England's schools and colleges, responding to data showing classroom-related incidents have doubled since before Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
Attacks on Jews have risen globally since Hamas' assault on Israel, which triggered the Gaza war. Britain reported a 4% annual increase in cases of antisemitism in 2025 - the second-highest total on record - including a sharp spike after a deadly synagogue attack in northern England in October.
Statistics on School-Related Incidents
The Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish communities on security, recorded 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, twice pre-2023 levels.
Official Statements and Reactions
Education Minister's Response
"The figures are stark and clear," education minister Bridget Phillipson said in a statement.
She added that "too many Jewish teachers who raised concerns felt that nothing was done. That is not acceptable."
Scope and Objectives of the Independent Review
Purpose of the Review
The government said the aim of the review was to assess how well education settings identify, prevent and respond to antisemitic behaviour, and where further support was needed.
Areas of Examination
Policies and Incident Handling
The review will examine schools' policies, how incidents are handled when they occur, what preventive measures are in place, and how external factors – including protests outside schools and wider geopolitical tensions - influence behaviour within education settings.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton)
Key Takeaways
- •Incident levels in schools and colleges have doubled since before October 7, 2023, with 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, per Community Security Trust data.
- •Total antisemitic incidents in the UK hit 3,700 in 2025 — the second-highest annual total on record — showing a 4% increase from 2024 and sustained elevated levels post-October 2023.
- •The independent review aims to evaluate how education settings detect, deter and react to antisemitism, including the examination of policies, incident responses, preventive strategies, and external pressures like protests and geopolitical tensions.
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Britain launches review into school-related antisemitism
1Why is Britain launching a review into school-related antisemitism?
Britain is responding to a doubling in classroom-related antisemitic incidents since before October 2023 and seeks to improve how schools address such behaviour.
2What will the review into antisemitism in schools examine?
The review will assess school policies, incident handling, preventive measures, and the impact of external factors on antisemitic behaviour in education.
3How have antisemitic incidents in British schools changed recently?
School-related antisemitic incidents have doubled compared to pre-2023 levels, with 204 incidents recorded by the Community Security Trust in 2025.
4What is the government's goal with this independent review?
The government aims to find how well schools identify, prevent, and respond to antisemitism, and where additional support is required.
5Who highlighted the need for better action against antisemitism in schools?
Education minister Bridget Phillipson emphasized that many Jewish teachers' concerns were previously not addressed and called the situation unacceptable.
