An independent review will look at how schools and colleges identify and prevent antisemitism, the Department for Education has announced.
Former Ofsted chief inspector Sir David Bell has been appointed to lead the review into how schools and colleges in England identify, respond to and prevent antisemitism.
The review will highlight ways that schools and colleges can be better supported, including through their own policies and relevant government guidance.
It comes after Ofsted found “no evidence” of political bias at a Bristol school that postponed a visit by a Jewish MP amid concerns about possible protests.
Review to look at campaigning organisations
A call for evidence and programme of engagement will be launched this spring. Sir David will report on recommendations by autumn 2026.
He will look at what processes are in place when incidents are not handled well, what settings are doing to prevent antisemitism in the first place and the role of external campaigning organisations in influencing institutional decision making.
In September 2025, Cabot Learning Federation postponed a visit from Labour MP Damien Egan as a pro-Palestinian demonstration had been planned to coincide with his visit to the school.
The decision attracted major political attention and resulted in an Ofsted inspection at the school. Dame Joan McVittie has been appointed to lead a review into the multi-academy trust in response to the controversy.
Sir David’s review will cover all schools and colleges in England, and will examine how external factors -from protests outside school gates to broader geopolitical events - can contribute to antisemitism within educational settings.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism will be used throughout. The review will consider incidents involving pupils, staff and leadership, including governors and trustees.
Giving schools ‘confidence’ to tackle antisemitism
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “As Jewish families across Britain celebrated Purim this week, a festival that speaks to the power of courage over hatred, I am reminded of the cost of staying silent in the face of prejudice.
“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.”
The Community Security Trust recorded 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, double the levels typically seen before 2023.
“This review will help to ensure schools and colleges have the confidence and support to tackle antisemitism,” Ms Phillipson said.
A NASUWT teaching union survey in July 2025 found that half of Jewish members experienced antisemitism in the workplace in the previous year. More than half of those felt that when they raised concerns, appropriate action was not taken.
Sir David said that he was pleased to have been appointed to lead the review and would approach it “with an open and independent mind”.
He added: “Antisemitism is a scourge, and no child or young person or teacher should be subject to it, not least when attending school or college.”
Sir David said that he would review both policy and practice, as well as learning more about education settings that are tackling antisemitism effectively, then share these findings.
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