When it comes to antisemitism, all our students are vulnerable

Jane Baker reflects on rising antisemitism’s impact on her SEND college learners and urges other leaders to ensure their Jewish students are supported

Jane Baker reflects on rising antisemitism’s impact on her SEND college learners and urges other leaders to ensure their Jewish students are supported

26 Jan 2024, 5:00

As a SEND college, we had worked hard throughout the pandemic and the resulting ongoing impact to support the mental health of our students and families. Ironically, across our campuses in London and Manchester, we felt we were beginning to return to a more normal time. Our students, all of whom have an education, health and care plan for learning difficulties, disabilities, social anxiety, or autistic spectrum disorders, were re-engaging with work placements and our curriculum delivery was regaining its consistency in the absence of interruptions.

Then, on 7 October last year, the world changed again. Langdon is a Jewish college whose aim is to ensure its students experience a supportive, nurturing and culturally appropriate learning environment. Until that Saturday, their experiences and knowledge of Israel were of joy and family. Overnight, friends lost loved ones and fear increased among their family members. For our young students, this not only challenged their perceptions of the world but brought the fear of antisemitism to the front of their minds.

The impact was immediate. On Monday morning, our independent students were already expressing a sudden fear of walking to college or using public transport. Many became reluctant to attend work placements which they had been confidently attending until then. Indeed, some began to question attending college at all out of fear of attacks. 

One conversation I held with a young man saddened me. “Am I going to be abused in the streets?” he asked.

Antisemitic behaviour has far-reaching consequences, particularly when it comes to the impact on young people. It can have a profound effect on anyone’s mental health, social integration, and overall well-being – and not least on the youngest and the most vulnerable among us. Antisemitic incidents may cause young people to question their own identity and heritage, leading to confusion and self-doubt. It is a sad consequence of recent events that our college has experienced this for the first time.

It requires a collective effort to promote tolerance

Faced with this new challenge, we have ensured that additional focus was placed on supporting our young people. We have always provided and encouraged an open environment for our young people to raise concerns. As such, our students did share their fears and worries, and this enabled us to have open discussions.

This approach is vital to ensure we have an opportunity to listen and reassure while promoting a strong sense of identity. Fostering a supportive environment and encouraging an open dialogue can empower young people to stand against prejudice and work towards creating a more inclusive society.

Alongside supporting our students, we have worked hard to ensure our multicultural team feel supported and safe. The impact on the staff can be overlooked, but their concerns and fears (particularly in the immediate aftermath of an event like this) should not be overlooked.

We have also increased security at our campuses, which has acted as a visual demonstration to all that we are ensuring safety is a priority. Sadly, it is also a visual reminder that times have changed.

But let us not forget that this is an ongoing challenge. It requires a collective effort to promote tolerance, education and understanding, creating a society in which our students can thrive without fear and discrimination.

The college continues to provide additional one-to-one and tutorial support for those who need it as news from Israel continues to dominate the headlines and conversations at home. We continue to encourage open and honest conversations, which allows us not only to reassure them, but also to challenge the misinformation that abounds.

Above all, it is our role to make every effort to maintain a sense of normality and stability for our young people, so we continue to empower them to be proud of who they are.

But that is challenging in a way we have never experienced. “Nothing bad has happened to me yet,” were the somewhat reassured words of the young student I quoted above, at the end of our conversation.

There are students like him in every college.  EHCP or not, their needs right now will be profound and complex. Our collective response must be equal to that.  

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Reshaping the New Green Skills Landscape

The UK government is embarking on a transformative journey to reshape its skills landscape, placing a significant emphasis on...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace targets harassment and misconduct in education 

In an era where safeguarding and compliance are firmly in the spotlight, education providers face a growing responsibility: to...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Screening for the cognitive needs of apprentices is essential – does it matter if the process is engaging?

Engagement should be the first priority in cognitive assessment. An engaging assessment is an inclusive assessment — when cognitive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Skills Bootcamps Are Changing – What FE Colleges Must Know 

Skills Bootcamps are evolving as funding moves to local control and digital skills trends shift. Code Institute, an Ofsted...

Code Institute

More from this theme

Apprenticeships, Politics, Skills reform

Level 7 apprenticeship funding to be axed from January 2026

DfE also announces 'priority' bootcamp funding for next year and confirms apprenticeship budget increase to over £3bn

Shane Chowen
Devolution, Politics

Devolving 16-19 funding would be a nightmayor, minister warned

Doing so would lead to more 'bureaucracy' and 'inequalities', expert says

Billy Camden
Devolution, Politics

‘Potential’ for more skills devolution amid mayoral ‘tension’, says minister

Comes weeks after mayor Andy Burnham labelled the DfE as his 'biggest frustration'

Billy Camden
Politics

Immigration white paper: What it means for FE and skills

Proposals include rising an employers' Skills Charge, stricter language rules, an HE levy and mandatory workforce strategies

FE Week Reporter

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *