Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a major review into anti-Semitism within Britain's schools, following alarming data showing participation in Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations has more than halved since the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Sharp Decline in Holocaust Remembrance
The review comes as figures from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust reveal a stark drop in engagement. In 2023, over 2,000 UK secondary schools registered for events marking Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27th. Participation had been rising annually since 2019.
However, after the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023, which killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, sign-ups fell dramatically. The number dropped to fewer than 1,200 schools in 2024 and just 854 in 2025. This is particularly concerning given there are over 4,000 secondary schools in the country.
"Completely Unacceptable" Treatment of Jewish MP
Ms Phillipson's intervention was also prompted by the cancellation of a school visit by Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, who is Jewish. His scheduled talk at Bristol Brunel Academy in September was called off after intervention from the Bristol branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), reportedly with help from members of the National Education Union (NEU).
Writing in The Telegraph, the Education Secretary labelled the treatment of Mr Egan as "completely unacceptable." She expressed "genuine concerns" about schools' capacity to tackle "hatred and prejudice" and vowed that "this anti-Semitism in Britain's schools and colleges ends on my watch."
Systemic Concerns and Union Allegations
The schools watchdog, Ofsted, will now inspect Bristol Brunel Academy over the incident. Ms Phillipson has also requested the school's academy trust commission an independent investigation. The school stated the visit was rearranged for an "alternative date" and cancelled due to "plans for a public protest outside the school."
Wider concerns have been raised by Jewish leaders and educational charities. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said he felt "fear for the education system," accusing teachers of taking "the path of least resistance" by avoiding marking Holocaust Memorial Day in the face of opposition from pupils and parents.
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Education Trust, said teachers are now anxious about teaching Jewish persecution, fearing backlash. She noted pupils often arrive with "views shaped by social media trends rather than evidence."
The Anne Frank Trust confirmed three schools in England and Wales postponed Holocaust education programmes in 2024 due to "community tensions," though none are known to have cancelled for 2025.
Commitment to Action and Remembrance
Ms Phillipson pledged to "leave no stone unturned" to ensure all schools have the tools to tackle anti-Semitism. Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, strongly encouraged schools to organise lessons and assemblies for January 27th.
The NEU stated it takes "all forms of racism seriously" and is running anti-racism training. It emphasised that commemorating the Holocaust is "more important than ever." The review aims to provide concrete support for school leaders confronting prejudice and safeguarding the integrity of Holocaust education.
