Have you experienced or witnessed antisemitism in your school?
Antisemitism means having negative ideas, views, stereotypes or hatred towards Jewish people just because they are Jewish. This is a form of discrimination.
It can show up in different ways in what is said, written or done, such as:
Words/Pictures – making jokes, insults or comments about Jews.
Actions – bullying, damaging property or attacking someone.
Blaming – holding Jewish people responsible for things they didn’t do.
Antisemitic acts can target individuals, groups of people, or even buildings and places connected to Jewish life, like synagogues or schools. Antisemitism can sometimes be targeted with the aim of deliberately hurting, upsetting or intimidating people, though it can sometimes be unintentional and caused by people not understanding or considering the needs, beliefs and feelings of Jewish people.
You have the right to be safe, respected and proud of who you are. Schools have a duty to protect you and your voice matters.
What schools should do to safeguard pupils from antisemitism?
Schools have a duty in law to help keep every pupil safe. Safeguarding means protecting pupils from harm, which includes making sure no one is excluded, bullied, or treated unfairly. This includes protecting them from antisemitism and any other forms of discrimination.
It is the job of all school staff to ensure that no one in the school community is discriminated against in or around school and to teach pupils how to recognise and address discrimination.
What to do if you experience or witness antisemitism towards yourself, another student or a member of staff.
Tell an adult you trust straight away. This could be your Form Tutor, any other teacher or member of staff or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You may also want to share what happened with your parents or carers, who can support you and, if needed, contact the headteacher.
Write down what happened. Note the time, place and what was said or done and if anyone else was present. If it happened online, keep screenshots.
Remember: it is never your fault. The responsibility always lies with the person or people discriminating, not you. Support each other. If you see a friend, another person or even a member of staff being targeted, don’t ignore it and leave it to someone else – check they are okay and encourage them to speak to staff as soon as possible.
Follow up. If you report something, you should be reassured that it has been investigated and dealt with appropriately. If you do not feel reassured, all schools have a complaints policy that your parents can use. If you report something, you have the right to know your school has responded.
