The Virtue of Traditional Education | Katharine Birbalsingh

John is joined in conversation by Katharine Birbalsingh, described by many as ‘Britain’s’ strictest teacher’. Birbalsingh’s passion for high-quality education provides for insightful and challenging perspectives on the state of our current school system and what can be done to improve it. Katharine Birbalsingh is the Chair of the Social Mobility Commission and Headmistress and co-founder of Michaela Community School in Wembley, London. Michaela is known for its tough-love behaviour systems, knowledge curriculum and teaching of kindness and gratitude. In 2017, OFSTED graded the school as “Outstanding” in every category. Katharine studied Philosophy & Modern Languages at The University of Oxford and has always taught in inner London. She has made numerous appearances on television and radio and has written for several UK publications. Katharine has written two books and edited a third, plus a fourth called The Power of Culture which was published in June 2020. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Introduction 0:44 Introducing Katharine Birbalsingh 1:58 How Katharine got began teaching 3:52 The culture of excuses in UK education 12:24 Starting Michaela Community School 15:26 The dangers of progressivist education 20:57 Have you silenced the critics? 24:50 The strong academic results of Michaela 28:10 Expectations on disadvantaged children 30:44 Value of teaching the western cannon 41:26 Is an obsession with racism hurting our children? 44:01 Effect of technology on children 45:50 Is funding the answer to good schools? 49:30 Importance of home life for education -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world’s foremost thought leaders about today’s pressing social, cultural and political issues. John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; “You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate.“ If you value this discussion and want to see more like it, make sure you subscribe to the channel here: And stay right up to date with all the conversations by subscribing to the newsletter here: Follow John on Twitter: Follow John on Facebook: Support the channel: Website: Podcast: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katharine Birbalsingh: