Dear Colleagues,

We are seeing a concerning rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the country, and this being part of our daily news which affects the atmosphere that our schools operate in. These forms of prejudice, whether overt or subtle, undermine the safety and inclusivity of our learning environments.

In B&D we understand that our school staff need support to recognise and respond to these issues. This includes understanding how prejudice manifests and how to challenge it effectively.

This term we have had ‘Show Racism the Red Card’s Wear Red Day’ which encouraged schools to fight racism: https://www.theredcard.org/wear-red-day/. There are also many resources available on their education hub: https://theredcardhub.org/ 

We have also had Interfaith Week 2025 (9–16th November) whose resources for schools continue to be an ideal opportunity to engage pupils in respectful dialogue and celebrate diversity in schools across the academic year. We encourage schools to use these resources in assemblies, creative projects, or community partnerships. If this is something your school would like to get involved in follow the link here: https://www.interfaithweek.org/resources/schools

Carrie Alderton (CEO of the Faith & Belief Forum) wrote a blog which I would like to highlight a few words from as well the link to the full piece, as I think it is timely and helpful. She says October, “saw a violent attack on a synagogue in Manchester, leading to the deaths of two people at a moment of sacred observance. Only days later, while the echoes of last summer had not subsisted, the only mosque in Peacehaven, Sussex was targeted in an arson attack.

These are two incidents of direct assaults on places of worship amidst a rising sea of hate crime, underscoring in tragic detail what so many communities have long known: faith-based hate is real, pervasive, and deadly.

Faith based hate against Muslims, Jews and other religious and ethnic minorities is at an all time high.” You can find the full piece here.

To assist colleagues, we are sharing links to organisations offering training and resources on identifying and tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia, and wider forms of prejudice:

Training & Support Organisations

• Educate Against Hate
  https://educateagainsthate.com
  Government-backed site offering practical advice, classroom resources, and training links for tackling extremism and hate.
• RE Hubs
• https://www.re-hubs.uk/upskill/controversial-issues-in-re gives staff a large selection of resources and links that help to deal well with controversial and challenges issues in RE, including prejudice and discrimination.
• The Anne Frank Trust UK
  https://annefrank.org.uk
  Offers workshops and school programmes focused on challenging prejudice through the story of Anne Frank.
• Solutions Not Sides
  https://solutionsnotsides.co.uk
  Provides educational programmes that address antisemitism and Islamophobia through conflict resolution and dialogue.
• Facing History and Ourselves UK
  https://www.facinghistory.org/uk
  Offers teacher training and resources to help students explore identity, prejudice, and moral choices.
• Faith & Belief Forum
  https://faithbeliefforum.org
  Delivers interfaith workshops and training to promote understanding and reduce prejudice in schools.
• Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks)
  https://tellmamauk.org
  Offers support and guidance on tackling Islamophobia, including school engagement and reporting tools.
• Community Security Trust (CST)
  https://cst.org.uk
  Provides antisemitism awareness training and safeguarding advice for schools and communities.
• NSPCC

NSPCC: How to have difficult conversations 

 

• RED Cross

Red Cross: Talking with children about a major emergency (5-11) 

Red Cross: Talking with young people about a major emergency (11-19) 

• Culham St. Gabriels Trust (CSTG) 

Freedom of Religion and Belief short course can be accessed here (users need to create a free login to access it): https://courses.cstg.org.uk/. Other useful FORB resources on the site: https://www.reonline.org.uk/?s=Freedom+of+Religion+and+belief

• Islamophobia Month 2025

https://www.islamophobia-awareness.org/

• Jewish culture month 2025

Board of Deputies announces launch of a new British Jewish Culture month

 

For further support please contact Claire Clinton, B&D RE Advisor claire.clinton@rematters.co.uk