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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Katherine Birbalsingh?

132 replies

GreatJehosephat · 02/05/2025 07:22

She’s been popping up on tiktok for the last few days, and seems to be very divisive.

She appears to get amazing results, but then people point out she’s misrepresenting the truth as to who goes to her school, that they have far fewer children with SN, and can turn away children if they wish.

In rl she seems to be really polarised as well, so I thought I’d ask here and hope to learn more about her system and whether it’s cherry picked (as suggested) or if she has indeed created an amazing experience for her pupils.

My own opinion, based on the clips I’ve seen, is that the very strict rules would mostly be intolerable to any adult in a workplace and when you look at other academies who install strict rules it seems to impact heavily on the pupil’s mental health.
I believe there’s a place for such schools, and they work very well for some children, but I can think of plenty of children who need a different approach in order to produce a happy, productive population (in a way where people are mentally well enough to find employment - and we seem to be seeing a downturn in this and an upturn in young people being too stressed to do anything!).

OP posts:
twistyizzy · 02/05/2025 07:37

She has no control over the admissions process to her school ie it isn't selective so she deals with what she's given.
She is vilified by so many on here yet they are the same ones who say parents are too permissive and schools aren't tough enough on discipline!

She knows her kids, she knows what the school stands for and she makes no apologies about that. She sets the kids who leave her school up for success in life. That should never be a bad thing!
KB also acknowledges to prospective parents that her school won't suit all children and that they shouldn't choose her school if they don't buy into the ethos.
Therefore she has (in the main) a hugely supportive parental base and is an example of what can be done when this happens. Most other schools would pay to have the level of parental engagement she does.

Do I agree 100% with her on everything? No I don't but I agree with her more than I disagree with her. Plus she is taking Phillipson on and calling out the highly damaging new Schools Bill so that earns brownie points in my book!

AlwaysFreezing · 02/05/2025 07:36

My issue with her school is that some people have no choice but to send their kids there. (I mean all state schools are the same, in the sense that a parent can't pick any school and get a place at it) but the reality is that most state schools aren't as extreme as this.

But as I understand it, lots of people want this school for their children.

No school that caters to hundreds of pupils is going to suit them all. But this seems....excessive in its approach.

Sajacas · 02/05/2025 07:33

Go on youtube and watch one of the many long form discussions she has taken part in and make up your own mind.

I have watched a couple of discussions with her, and she seems pretty boringly sensible.
Although I disagree with her on vegetarianism.

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CopperWhite · 02/05/2025 07:31

It’s an unselective state school. They are allocated pupils in the same way as every other state school.

Her approach won’t work well for every child because there is no school that is perfect for every child. But for plenty, it works wonderfully and it’s a shame that all children don’t have access to this type of school.

Original poster
GreatJehosephat · 02/05/2025 07:31

MojoMoon · 02/05/2025 07:27

She craves attention so will be delighted you've made a thread about her.

Maybe, but I’m still interested in thoughts.
She’s either the devil or a genius from what I’ve read and heard. The reality is likely to be somewhere in the middle.

One thing I hate about the polarisation we have is that even with middle of the road views you’re considered wrong. With education though, every child has a right to an education. We’re currently seeing rising opinion that SN children are the problem, KB’s ethos appears to align with this so imo is short sighted. But I’m interested to learn more.

OP posts:
MojoMoon · 02/05/2025 07:27

She craves attention so will be delighted you've made a thread about her.

BlossomBlanket · 02/05/2025 07:24

I don't know, but the only high-school available for my children is a holding pen for a high number of feral animals. It's a dangerous place both physically and psychologically. A bit of discipline would go a long way but it's way beyond that.