The fear of hate in the classroom means I want to send my children to a Jewish secondary school

My own children go to a sweet Jewish primary school, a decision taken six years ago by my husband and myself. Antisemitism was not a factor.

There, they learn Hebrew and tefillin, and have expanded their love of Jewish culture and music. But it had never been on our agenda to send them to a Jewish secondary. With their foundations in Judaism – and, most importantly, their identity – firmly established, it was always our intention for them to go on to a secular secondary where they could form a diverse group of friends. But my friend’s comments have only cemented fears we have had since October 7 brought an onslaught of antisemitic incidents, many of which are sadly occurring in British schools.

Last year’s JPR report showed that in 2023 and 2024, Jewish children were significantly more likely to experience antisemitism within non-faith schools (reported by 21 per cent of parents) than on their commutes to and from school.

A European study, conducted by JPR/Ipsos back in 2018 for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, identified British Jewish parents’ three main motivations for choosing a Jewish school for their child as fostering a strong Jewish identity, the ability to make friends with similar values, and high academic standards. It wasn’t antisemitism. That ranked fifth out of six possible motivational factors in that study. However, I am certain that would not be the case today.

During the past 21 months, as a journalist I have received panicked messages from parents telling me they are desperately appealing for a place at a Jewish secondary school for their child who had experienced antisemitism. Now in the throes of applications and logging our shul visits, we are wondering if we will be among them next year.

My children are still blissfully oblivious to antisemitism, and long may it last. When they last broke out into Hebrew song on the top deck of a bus, they were mystified when I asked them to be quiet – or to sing something different. “Is it because it is disrespectful to God?” replied my daughter in heartbreaking innocence.

School needs to be a safe place. You wouldn’t want your child to come across antisemitic graffiti such as “kill Jews” inside a bathroom, as some did at a non-Jewish private school in the aftermath of October 7.

So, when people ask me which schools we are considering for our ten-year-old, eldest child, I find myself flustered: JCoSS or JFS if we’re lucky – and a few other options. Knowing that there are still children in the current Year 6 cohort without a confirmed place at a Jewish secondary school for September – resulting in places being offered at a rebranded school near Brent Cross –  means our anxiety about next year’s application process is more acute.

Growing up is hard enough without adding antisemitism and fear into the mix.