A new report from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) reveals that the number of students attending Jewish schools in the UK has declined for the first time in three decades.

According to the findings, over 36,000 Jewish pupils are currently enrolled in 136 Jewish schools across the country. However, for the first time since the mid-1990s, both the mainstream and Strictly Orthodox sectors have seen a drop in enrolment figures for the 2023/24 academic year.

Key findings

The report, authored by Dr. Carli Lessof and Adam Possener, highlights that the number of Jewish schools has increased slightly, with a net gain of three schools since 2021. Of the 136 institutions, 45 are mainstream Jewish schools, while 91 belong to the Strictly Orthodox sector.

For the first time, mainstream Jewish schools have seen a decline in enrolment across all primary and secondary levels over the past three years. Meanwhile, although the Strictly Orthodox sector has generally continued to grow, the latest data shows a reduction of 358 pupils in the last academic year.

Factors behind the decline

The report suggests that this decline is not due to demographic shifts or changing parental preferences but is more likely a result of evolving government policies and school registration practices, particularly affecting the number of children recorded in registered Strictly Orthodox schools.

Despite the recent changes, the overall distribution between mainstream and Strictly Orthodox schools has remained stable. Currently, 60 percent of Jewish pupils in Jewish schools attend Strictly Orthodox institutions, while 40 percent are in mainstream Jewish schools. This marks a significant shift from the mid-1990s when the majority—55 percent—attended mainstream schools, compared to 45 percent in the Strictly Orthodox sector.

Regional distribution

The report also highlights regional variations, noting that 87 percent of Jewish pupils in mainstream schools are based in Greater London and South Hertfordshire. In contrast, the Strictly Orthodox sector is more widely distributed, though 63 percent of its students are still concentrated in London.

Expert insights

Dr. Jonathan Boyd, Executive Director of JPR, emphasized the importance of tracking Jewish school enrolments as a way to assess broader demographic trends and ensure sufficient school places for Jewish families.

“These new data suggest a shift in the long-standing pattern of growth in Jewish school enrolments, but further research is needed to understand the reasons behind it,” he said.

He added that in the mainstream sector, it remains unclear whether the decline is driven by lower birth rates or evolving parental choices. Additionally, concerns about rising antisemitism could potentially influence school selection in the future.

For the Strictly Orthodox sector, Dr. Boyd pointed out that it is uncertain whether the decline is due to economic, political, or practical challenges—or if the latest figures represent a temporary fluctuation.

The report underscores the need for continued monitoring and analysis to fully grasp the factors shaping Jewish education in the UK. Photo by Mx. Granger, Wikimedia commons.