Headteachers more concerned with security than teaching at Jewish

Headteachers at several Jewish schools in the UK are spending more of their time managing school security than teaching or administrative work. This sensational information has recently emerged from an independent review report on anti-Semitism in schools and colleges.

The review, funded by the UK government, is being led by Sir David Bell, a former chief inspector of the country's education inspection office 'Ofsted' and current vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland. In an interview with the BBC, he said that he was very shocked when he spoke to headteachers of Jewish religious schools. Most headteachers told him that security has now become their main concern rather than students' studies. As a result, 'education' is taking a back seat in some cases.

Sir David Bell described the level of such anti-Semitic behavior towards children as very 'painful and worrying'. The report, due to be completed in the autumn of this year, will detail the experiences of Jewish students and staff in religious and mainstream schools and colleges in England.

He said the investigation found that Jewish students were routinely subjected to abusive language and harassment. He said Jewish children now face a level of pressure or crisis that is not seen in other communities in the country.

The BBC said that the review could lead to recommendations from the UK government for special training for all teachers and raising anti-Semitism awareness among students.

The BBC spoke to several headteachers and staff at Jewish schools. None of them agreed to be named, citing security risks.

One headteacher said: “In recent years, strengthening security has become our main priority. There have been weeks when I have spent almost 90 per cent of my working hours just on security issues. This burden of anxiety haunts us even when we go to bed at night.’

A headteacher at another Jewish school for the past 13 years said, ‘I have never had to spend so much time or energy on safety in my entire career. The main priority every day should be improving the quality of education in schools. But now, every moment, children’s safety is being undermined by decisions being made about education.’

Sir David Bell’s review added data from a survey of at least 5,000 students conducted by the university admissions agency ‘Ucas’. The survey found that almost 20 percent of students had been directly subjected to anti-Semitic behavior at school or college or had witnessed it.

Meanwhile, according to data from the Jewish community safety organization ‘Community Security Trust’ (CST), anti-Semitic incidents in schools reached a record high in the first half of 2026. From 112 in the first six months of 2025, it rose by 59 percent to 178 in the same period in 2026.

On the subject, UK Education Secretary Lucy Powell said that this study is a very important work. She will seriously consider the recommendations of the Bell Commission so that all forms of racism and religious hatred can be stopped in the country's schools and colleges.

Bitter experience of students

Jonathan Frisher, a resident of Cheshire and a student, said that he began to be a victim of anti-Semitic attacks since he entered secondary school in 2020. He says, 'Swastikas were drawn in my class and many people gave Nazi salutes. There were also comments that I should be sent to the gas chamber. Since my family went through the horrors of the Holocaust, it was very difficult for me to tolerate such comments.'

However, when a special class on anti-Semitism awareness was taken at school, the situation improved overnight, Jonathan says, 'People realized their mistake and apologized to me. If it works in my school, it will work in other schools across the country.

A teacher at a Jewish primary school in London said that security at schools has been increased dramatically since the attack and stabbing of Jews in the Golders Green area earlier this year.

She said, “There are armed or special security guards patrolling inside and outside the school at all times. When I drive to school in the morning, my car is searched through the under-car mirror.”

She said that children are also subjected to abuse by other children on buses and in the field during school trips or sports events. The teacher lamented, “One of my young students once asked me: Why do people hate Jews so much? To be honest, it was very difficult for me to answer this question.”

BBC News.