Britain’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaks as Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks on during a roundtable meeting at 10 Downing Street in central London, Britain February 23, 2026, as part of the government’s announcement on reforms with the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
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.
The Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish communities on security, recorded 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, twice pre-2023 levels.
“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.”
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.
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
