Strictly-Orthodox schoolgirls subjected to antisemitic abuse at A-level exam site
Exclusive: Students from the Be'er Miriam seminary in Stamford Hill reportedly targeted while they attended the New City College Hackney campus
A group of 16-year-old Orthodox Jewish girls from Stamford Hill who were attending New City College in Hackney to sit A-level exams were targeted by antisemitic comments, leading to a second group of students subsequently attending the site to be chaperoned by college staff.
Due to an arrangement with NCC Hackney, students from the Be’er Miriam seminary were scheduled to take A-level exams at the college’s Clapton site 12 days ago, with some sitting a geography exam and others due to sit an English exam later.
According to reports, there were two separate incidents involving strictly- Orthodox girls who had come to sit their geography A-level. The first took place in the toilets, where some of the Jewish girls were reportedly told, “We’re surprised people like you are allowed into here”. In the second, another group of the girls were followed by an NCC Hackney student, who repeatedly chanted “Jew, Jew, Jew” at them.
Staff at the college, which holds an ‘Outstanding’ designation from Ofsted, were informed, which led to the second group of girls attending the site for their A-level English exam being chaperoned during their stay.
In a statement from Be’er Miriam the seminary said: “We are aware of an incident in which students were subjected to antisemitic comments while attending examinations at New City College. Any such incident is deeply concerning. We are, however, grateful to the college leadership team for the speed and seriousness with which the matter was addressed, and for the steps taken to support and safeguard our students.
“We greatly value our longstanding relationship with New City College and appreciate the care and professionalism shown by staff throughout this matter. We remain confident that the college will continue to provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all students.”
A local community leader told Jewish News: “While the college should be commended for its swift response, the more fundamental question is why Jewish students are being subjected to this sort of abuse in the first place. This is not simply an issue for one college, but a wider societal challenge that deserves serious attention from educational leaders, regulators and government.”
Jewish News approached New City College for a response, asking, among other questions, whether it had identified the NCC Hackney students responsible for the racism, and if these incidents had been reported to the police as an example of harassment. The college responded by sharing a message with Jewish News, ostensibly from Be’er Miriam, which said that the seminary was “shocked and concerned” that the issue had been raised with Jewish News.
The message also said the seminary did “not wish to take this matter any further”, saying it was “disappointed that it has been raised again through external parties who may not fully understand the trust, partnership and positive working relationship we have built over time”.
The NCC representative then told Jewish News: “I hope that this gives some reassurance and clarification, and that your enquiry need not be pursued any further – it could have a detrimental impact on the longstanding positive community cohesion outlined in Beer Miriam’s response above.”
Levi Schapiro from the JCC of Stamford Hill said: “This is an unacceptable situation. The college should never have allowed this to happen. Orthodox Jewish girls should feel safe wherever they go in London without being harassed for being Jewish. We expect the college to provide a full report about the disciplinary action they took and how they will work hard to prevent this from happening again.”
In an official statement, an NCC Hackney representative said: “This behaviour goes against everything that we stand for at New City College. We pride ourselves as an inclusive environment, welcoming students from across our diverse community.
“When made aware of this incident, we immediately put in place additional measures, in agreement with our partner Jewish school, to provide reassurance to students and parents. At New City College we actively recognise and celebrate diversity. Abuse of any kind is not tolerated.”
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