Anti-semitism is becoming alarmingly common in British schools, with over half of Jewish teachers reporting abuse, according to a new survey by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).
The poll reveals a stark rise in anti-Semitic incidents, including swastika graffiti, offensive slurs, and anti-Jewish chants. One teacher described repeated harassment: “Students have shouted ‘Free Palestine’ at me on multiple occasions. Another time, someone yelled ‘Free the Jews’ outside a meeting of Jewish students.”
NASUWT’s findings highlight the deteriorating environment for Jewish staff in education since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel in October 2023. The union, which represents more than 300,000 members, found that 51% of Jewish teachers have encountered anti-Semitism at work since May 2023, while 44% reported seeing swastikas drawn in their schools, 39% have been subjected to or witnessed Nazi-related comments.
Some Jewish educators also recounted being stereotyped or having their British identity questioned. One said they were told, “It’s not racist to say Jews are rich, it’s just a fact,” while others were wrongly assumed to be Israeli nationals.
The abuse is being driven in part by misinformation online and dangerous rhetoric from far-right groups, said Matt Wrack, NASUWT’s acting general secretary. However, the union has faced criticism for failing to acknowledge the role of anti-Semitism from far left or Islamist sources, particularly since the October 7 attacks.
“A number of teachers are now afraid to even disclose their religion at work,” Mr Wrack said. “This can not be allowed to continue. Schools urgently need strong, visible government support to ensure that Jewish teachers and pupils feel safe.”
The union is urging Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to meet with them and take action. Many teachers reported a lack of support from their schools.
One in three said they did not feel comfortable reporting anti-Semitism to their employer.
Just over half who did report incidents felt their complaints were mishandled.
“Schools and colleges have a legal duty to protect staff and students from abuse of any kind,” Wrack added. “But anti-Semitism is rarely an isolated issue. It is part of a broader pattern of racism that must be confronted across the education system.”
Russell Langer, Director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council, said the figures reveal “shocking levels” of abuse faced by Jewish teachers.
He added that to understand the trend, it must be viewed in the context of the spike in anti-Semitic incidents following the October Hamas attacks. “Any effective response must recognise that anti-Semitism comes not only from the far-Right but also from far-Left and Islamist extremists,” he said.
This report follows a separate Government-backed review last week, which found anti-Semitism to be deeply embedded in UK institutions such as the NHS, universities, and the arts. The review was co-authored by Lord Mann, the Government’s adviser on anti-Semitism, and Dame Penny Mordaunt, the former Defence Secretary. Writing in The Telegraph, the pair said the evidence collected during their six-month inquiry had left them stunned into silence.
As concern over the treatment of Jewish professionals intensifies, teachers’ unions, government officials, and school leaders are being urged to act decisively to protect staff and students and to root out the rising tide of hate.
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