An independent inquiry into a Bristol secondary school that found itself at the centre of a media storm after postponing a visit by a local Jewish MP, has found no evidence of antisemitism or influence from lobby groups.
Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East and vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, was due to visit Bristol Brunel academy (BBA) last September to talk to students about democracy and his work in parliament.
It was reported that the visit was cancelled after a campaign by pro-Palestine activists, including members of the National Education Union. The Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign later hailed the cancellation as a “victory for parents, teachers and the community”.
However, the inquiry concluded that the decision to postpone was made solely on safeguarding grounds after the school learned that a public protest was being planned, amid concerns for the safety of Egan as well as of students and staff.
Joan McVittie, a retired headteacher who carried out the review, said: “The threat of a protest where there were so many unknowns – information about the size, which groups would be involved, and the risk of local activists joining – created a significant risk to students and the MP.
“The overriding priority for school leaders in any decision must always be safeguarding children and the health and safety of all those on their school site, including visitors.
“From the evidence I have gathered, I conclude that the decision to postpone on September 5 was based solely on safeguarding concerns for students and the MP.”
A snap Ofsted inspection this year also found “no evidence of partisan political views” at the school. The independent review was commissioned by the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), the multi-academy trust that runs BBA, after discussion with the Department for Education (DfE).
Although the inquiry found that neither the CLF nor BBA were antisemitic, it suggested the trust considers additional training on antisemitism and continues to seek ways to repair the relationship with Egan.
It also found the school had not followed its own procedure for visitors, as Egan had already visited six other schools in the trust without incident and was known to the trust. It said checks on social media that form part of the procedure could have alerted the school earlier to the potential threat.
McVittie also made recommendations for future political visits to schools, suggesting that organisers should adhere to parliamentary protocols, which advise no advance community notice of MP visits.
It suggested closer working between schools, police, local authorities and the DfE, improved guidance and security for schools planning visits, and for MPs’ constituency teams to carry out deeper checks on social media before visits.
A second date for Egan’s visit in December was again postponed to ensure that all necessary safeguards were in place. Egan finally visited the school on 5 February.
Leora Cruddas, the chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said: “The evidence from the Ofsted inspection of Bristol Brunel, and Dame Joan McVittie’s independent review of the trust, is clear: this is a very good school in a strong trust.”
A DfE spokesperson said that while no signs of antisemitic culture were found at BBA or CLF, the wider picture demanded urgent action.
“Since 7 October 2023, antisemitic incidents in educational settings have more than doubled. It’s a national disgrace, and we will not look away from it. That is why we have commissioned an independent national review to strengthen how schools and colleges prevent, identify and respond to antisemitism and all forms of hate.”
