Learning: Is Michaela Community School a Right Wing Approach to Education?

Young people face forwards all day. Every hand is up. During “turn to your partner” young people speak to the backs of each others heads. Is this what a love of learning looks like — or immaculate compliance?

In this episode, we get under the skin of the "strictest classroom in Britain", and the routines and the philosophy that powers them. We probe the school’s self-described “small-c conservative values”: does that make Michaela a right-wing approach to education, or simply a clear set of principles? And we examine what it means to reject calls to decolonise the curriculum - for knowledge, for culture, and for the young people in the room.

A sharp, respectful, and critical dive into practice and power — how do routines shape learning and how does it feel to experience learning at Michaela? Content warning: one use of strong language near the start of this episode.

Graded is a creative and critical podcast that turns the tables on traditional school evaluation. Series 1 looks at Michaela Community School in Wembley, led by “Britain’s Strictest Headmistress”, Katharine Birbalsingh. Each of the 5 episodes explore a key question about Michaela by investigating its practices through storytelling, research, and debate. Michaela acts as a starting point for us to consider broader questions about schooling and education policy. Hosted by a team of inquisitive voices, educators and experts, the show blends personal reflection with rigorous inquiry.

Host Bios

Jack is currently a Key Stage 2 teacher with a background in Art and Education studies, holding a Fine Art undergraduate degree and a Master's in 'Education: Culture, Language and Identity'. Previously, he worked for Action for Children in Hackney. He has a strong interest in democratic and radical education.

José Mario is an educator and artist, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Essex. They have a background in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in schools, having worked in London and Oxford. Their practice centres on care in education. Mario studied Fine Art at the University of Oxford and later completed a Master's in Education from UCL.

Martha is an educational researcher, with experience working with the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, as well as various NGOs. She is particularly interested in issues of access, inclusion and equity in education. Martha has a master’s in Education Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a BA in Sociology from Cambridge.

Disclaimers 

This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions.

The series includes an anonymous interview with a former Michaela student. The views expressed reflect this individual’s personal experience and are not representative of all Michaela students. Yap Productions approached several former students, but only one agreed to take part.

Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this series. No response was received .

Thank you to the following experts for their contribution:

Maria Arpa MBE 

Prof Stephen J. Ball

Tom Bennett OBE

Phil Beadle

Katharine Birbalsingh CBE

Professor Guy Claxton

Chloe Combi

Nomi Fitzsimons

Dylan and Hayden (Teach Sleep Repeat Podcast)

Professor Diane Reay

Andreas Schleicher

Dr Kay Sidebottom

Contracts: Annisha Jhatakia

Editor: Beau Falconer

Music: Beth Hayden

Producers: José Mario Dellow and Tessa Cooper

Researchers/Hosts: Martha Aitken, José Mario Dellow, and Jack Park

Sound: Billy Clark

Voice Actor: Sofie Potter

Recommended reading
On ‘Battle Hymn of the Tiger Teachers’ (2024) [Blog]. Phil Beadle. Available at: https://philbeadle.com/On-039Battle-Hymn-of-the-Tiger-Teachers039/68/