LONDON (VINnews) — Antisemitism in British schools has reached the highest level ever recorded for the first half of a year, according to figures from the Community Security Trust, as a government-commissioned review warns that Jewish pupils are enduring regular harassment and a situation unlike that faced by any other community in the country.

The CST recorded 178 antisemitic incidents in the school sector between January and June 2026, a 59% jump from 112 in the same period of 2025. The total marks the highest half-year figure for school-related incidents since records began. Of those, 51 occurred at Jewish schools, 74 involved pupils or staff at non-faith schools, and 53 targeted Jewish children away from school, often while commuting.

Sir David Bell, the former Ofsted chief inspector leading the independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England, told the BBC that Jewish children and young people “are facing a pressure — and indeed one might say even a crisis — that is not the experience of other communities in this country.”

“Pupils were subject to regular harassment and abuse,” Bell said. He described the extent of antisemitism directed at children and young people as “shocking,” adding that education at some Jewish schools “takes second place” to security concerns.

Headteachers of Jewish schools reported spending the majority of their time on safety measures rather than teaching. One principal said there had been weeks when approximately 90% of their time went to security-related matters. Another, who has led a Jewish school for 13 years, said: “I’ve never spent so much of my time and so much energy dealing with security issues… [It] prevented [me] from working on educational priorities… instead my focus and time has been spent on security, something that should be a given for every child in this country.”

Pupils aged 12 and 13 at one Jewish faith school in London told the review they regularly suffered abuse while traveling to school and on public transport. A Jewish teenager who was the only Jewish student at his school described being told he “should be in a gas chamber,” while swastikas were drawn in classrooms and Nazi salutes became widespread.

The full review, launched in March 2026 and expected in autumn, is examining experiences across faith and secular schools and colleges. It is likely to recommend dedicated teacher training, improved education about antisemitism for pupils, and a standardized system for reporting and recording incidents.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell called the review “a vital piece of work,” saying: “Antisemitism has no place in our society, let alone our education system. Jewish children and staff should never face hatred or prejudice, and every school and college must be equipped to tackle it when it happens.”

The school figures form part of a broader rise. The CST logged 1,926 antisemitic incidents across Britain in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase from the previous year and the second-highest total for any first six months on record.