An independent inquiry into a Bristol school that postponed a visit from its local Jewish MP has concluded that neither the institution nor the trust overseeing it are antisemitic.
The review, which came after claims of intimidation by pro-Palestine activists, found no evidence of prejudice at Bristol Brunel Academy or the Cabot Learning Federation.
The controversy arose earlier this year when the academy, run by the Cabot Learning Federation, cancelled a planned visit by local MP Damien Egan.
Reports at the time suggested the decision followed intervention from pro-Palestine activists, prompting schools watchdog Ofsted to inspect the site.
Following discussions with the Department for Education, the Cabot Learning Federation commissioned retired headteacher Dame Joan McVittie to conduct an independent review.
While Dame Joan's findings cleared both the academy and the trust of antisemitism, she recommended that the trust consider additional training on the issue and actively seek to mend its relationship with Mr Egan.
Dame Joan said in the report: “The evidence I have gathered leads me to conclude that the decision to postpone was based not on the MP’s religious beliefs or links to Israel but on a desire to protect him from potential abuse and harm as a consequence of this.”
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said that he was very concerned by the reports at the time and inspected the school in January. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the visit being stopped was “completely unacceptable”.
The school said at the time that it had taken the decision to postpone the visit, rather than cancel it, due to “concerns about student safety and the disruption to their education from the planned protest”.
The Ofsted inspection in January found no evidence of political bias at the school.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) was pleased to see the review’s findings, general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio said.
“We are living in fractious times, and schools can very quickly be drawn into a political and media storm even when their actions are entirely appropriate and well-intentioned,” he said.
“Too often schools come under fire from politicians and commentators more interested in point-scoring and headline-chasing than establishing the facts.”
Mr Di’Iasio urged everyone to “be understanding of the difficult climate schools are operating in”.
Dame Joan’s report said that the visit was originally planned for 5 September 2026, and was postponed because of a threat of protest.
She added she did not find evidence that the decision to postpone was influenced by internal or external groups, and that it was based on safeguarding and health and safety grounds.
She added that checking social media in the run-up to the visit may have alerted the school earlier to the potential issues.
Several attempts were made to reorganise the visit, and a date was agreed for 5 December, the review said. After discussion around putting additional safeguards in place for the visit, it was decided to postpone the visit again to make sure all these could be in place.
Mr Egan visited the school on 5 February, and the review said it was successful.
Some of the staff at the trust have been affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Dame Joan’s review said. There has been “significant training both over time and more recently on political impartiality, rejection of discrimination and expectations of all staff”.
Dame Joan said Jewish members of staff she met in the trust’s schools reported they were treated with respect and understanding in their workplace, but reflected that sometimes polarised views in their community can be more challenging.
No students at Bristol Brunel Academy identify as Jewish, the review said.
“There may be children in schools in parts of Bristol who are frightened to identify as being Jewish because of tensions in the local community,” it said.
The DfE could provide more detailed guidance to schools and MPs on how to manage MP visits, the review concluded, which ASCL welcomed.
An independent review of how schools and colleges identify and prevent antisemitism was announced by the Government in March.
It will be led by former DfE permanent secretary Sir David Bell, and will make final recommendations on how schools can be better supported to tackle antisemitism by the autumn.
Community Security Trust figures from when the review was announced found there were 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, double typical levels before 2023.
Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said: “As Dame Joan McVittie’s report makes unequivocally clear, the decision to postpone an MP’s visit was made solely on safeguarding and health and safety grounds for students, staff and the MP.
“The leadership that the school and trust have shown in these circumstances is exemplary. Leaders have acted at all time with integrity, equanimity and transparency. They have modelled the ethic of public service and the principles of public life.”
A DfE spokesperson said: “We welcome Dame Joan McVittie’s thorough and robust investigation, and while no signs of antisemitic culture were found at this school or trust, the wider picture demands 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. Every student and every member of staff has the right to feel safe, respected and included and this Government will make sure they do.”
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