Jewish school heads spend more time on security than education, review finds
An independent review in England has found that headteachers at Jewish schools are increasingly forced to prioritize security measures over educational goals due to rising antisemitism. The report highlights the severe emotional and operational toll this crisis takes on school leadership.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant social issue where safety concerns are actively undermining the educational environment for a specific religious community.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Antisemitism in schools reached the highest level ever recorded this year
Headteachers of some Jewish schools are spending more of their time dealing with security arrangements than on educational matters, a review into antisemitism in schools and colleges has found.
Sir David Bell, speaking for the first time about his ongoing government-commissioned independent review, told the BBC he had been struck by how many leaders of Jewish faith schools had told him security was their primary concern - and that "sometimes education takes second place to that".
The report, due in the autumn, examines the experiences of Jewish pupils and staff in faith and secular schools and colleges in England.
Sir David said he found that pupils were "subject to regular harassment and abuse".
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