The Unshakeable Vision of "Britain's Strictest Headteacher"
Inaya Folarin Iman Interviews Katharine Birbalsingh
Katharine Birbalsingh, known to some as Britain’s “strictest headteacher,” sat down with Inaya Folarin Iman for an exclusive interview in 2021.
Katharine Birbalsingh serves as the headteacher of Michaela Community School in northwest London. She challenges the conventional notion that success is solely determined by socioeconomic background.
At Michaela, the focus is on nurturing timeless virtues such as responsibility, resilience, and gratitude in students through a traditionalist approach.
Birbalsingh and Iman also discuss several contemporary issues related to education. These include critical race theory, white privilege, the "black curriculum," representation, and the pressures Birbalsingh has faced in upholding high standards at her school.
We hope you enjoy the dialogue!
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"responsibility," "resilience," "gratitude" -- checks all of the proper values and attitudes for the business of life.
Thanks and kudos for the informative and insightful interview. Birbalsingh is doing really important work, both at her school and with educators beyond.
One thought: At least some students might infer from low expectations that educators think the students aren’t capable of doing more. If so, it’s not a recipe for developing self-confidence or a willingness to try and risk failure, the experience of which brings with it so many important life lessons.