Union urges government to issue schools guidance on antisemitism

Teachers’ union NASUWT has called on the government to issue schools with updated guidance on tackling antisemitism and other forms of racism, following survey findings that point to widespread abuse.

In a letter to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, the union urged the Department for Education to provide “swift, strong support” to help schools deal with antisemitism and safeguard staff and pupils.

A NASUWT survey of Jewish teachers found that 90% of respondents believed their employers needed more training to identify and challenge antisemitism.

Key findings included:

• 51% of Jewish teachers had experienced antisemitism at work in the past year; 78% were targeted directly, 37% witnessed incidents, and 38% were told of incidents by others.
• 44% had seen swastika graffiti in schools, while 39% had witnessed or been subjected to Nazi-related comments.
• 56% said the abuse included antisemitic “jokes and banter”, and 47% reported insults and taunts.
• 52% said complaints were not handled appropriately by their employer.
• 79% of those in non-faith schools had experienced antisemitism, compared with 29% in faith schools.

  Matt Wrack, acting general secretary of NASUWT, said: “NASUWT stands firmly with any teacher suffering discrimination due to their religion or ethnicity. Schools and colleges have a legal responsibility to safeguard teachers and pupils from all forms of abuse. They urgently require more support from government in this complex area.

  “Our members tell us that misinformation on social media, including dangerous rhetoric from far-right movements and stereotyping of Jewish people, is fuelling a rise in antisemitic and racist abuse in schools. Some teachers are fearful of even disclosing their religion at work. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

  He added: “A third of respondents to our survey did not feel they could report antisemitism to their employers, and for those that did, more than half said appropriate action was not taken. It is clear that schools need swift, strong support in tackling antisemitism so that Jewish teachers and pupils can feel safe.

  “Antisemitism does not happen in isolation. We know that many forms of racist abuse are occurring in education settings and will be looking at this closely. We are asking Bridget Phillipson to meet with us to galvanise action on these unacceptable trends. If we are going to stamp out discrimination in all its insidious forms, we need visible leadership from the government.”