Katharine Birbalsingh made Social Mobility chief, aibu not to have a good feeling about this?

[PasstheBucket89]

Her school does apparently have very good results for GCSEs

but im a bit wary of this, her views are quite regressive, what does she have to offer children who are disabled or who have disadvantaged background.

Aibu to feel worried about some of the views conveyed here, in a role with children?

Michaela say that their strict, no exceptions behaviour policy actually works really well for many pupils with ASD who like clear structured rules

They'd hardly say otherwise, would they? Sure, there will be some children who it suits. But if a child has major difficulty dealing with transitions, or with organisation, or sensory problems leading to a difficulty with some item of uniform, or completing their work within a defined period, I suspect they would really struggle.

Well, she appears to have succeeded in relation to her own social mobility efforts, so she must certainly know what she is talking about.

She seems to have her head screwed on

@mustlovegin

Well, she appears to have succeeded in relation to her own social mobility efforts, so she must certainly know what she is talking about.

She seems to have her head screwed on

Did Matt Hancock know what he is talking about? Just because you make it into government doesn't you know what you're talking about. Most politicians are terrible.

I only know about Birbalsingh what I picked up on BBC radio programme Profile.

"The very first thing she told us " (at open evening for her charter school) "was don't send your child here if you don't want a very strict education for them." That's why I am not impressed by her school GCSE results - that wasn't a random selection of kids from the community who did well. The parents are very self-selected -- old fashioned like KB, I guess.

No Talking by pupils allowed in corridors -- but LOTS of shouting in other ways within her school. Again, for families who can't/won't/don't support petty rules, I don't see how this mindset works.

I can see how Birbalsingh would be a great teacher within the confined domain of a single classroom, but that doesn't make her into someone who has great insights how to run organisations that serve the entire community.

Her birth family was privileged. She doesn't come from a background of unsupportive parents and community. I don't see how she would understand those diverse cultures and the multi-factorial aspects that lead to under-achievement.

She obviously has huge drive & energy and I wish her well. The Mobility Commissioner is just a 6 days/month job. Hard to imagine she'll achieve much with that limited commitment.

Glad it’s not the type of school we chose for our DC’s. They would have hated it and quickly become very unhappy.

These have been quoted as her views. They are topics she has likely reflected substantially upon, coming from a non-white background herself and having had to emigrate from New Zealand to Canada and then to the UK. She must know a thing or two about how best to achieve integration

Birbalsingh maintains that children of black and ethnic minority backgrounds are not sufficiently taught about British culture or Britishness in schools which has left them feeling "culturally excluded." She argues that such cultural exclusion happens due to teachers placing more emphasis on the ethnicity of children than on promoting British national identity, stating "Teachers would tell them all the time they weren't part of the country—they say what country are you really from? Let's do a cultural thing where we all bring in our flags. The people who are doing this think they're being nice. They think they're being respectful" but that children "didn't get taught about Shakespeare and Dickens—or that they were part of their country."

Birbalsingh is opposed to teaching children about white privilege in schools and subjecting staff or pupils to unconscious bias training, arguing that such measures encourage racial segregation over constructively solving racism and distract from the true meaning of education.[43][44] She has also maintained that using the term white privilege is unhelpful to ethnic minority students as it creates an exaggerated perception that they are perpetually oppressed by the political establishment and diminishes incentives to work hard

Her birth family was privileged. She doesn't come from a background of unsupportive parents and community. I don't see how she would understand those diverse cultures and the multi-factorial aspects that lead to under-achievement

Her father was a teacher and her mother a nurse, I wouldn't say that counts as particularly privileged. Also, how would she not understand 'diverse cultures', her own background is very diverse. People are quick to slag off someone as soon as they see they present a different opinion and don't parrot a sufficiently sanitised leftist rhetoric. It's a shame, frankly

@pianolessons1

Her son is at St. Paul's. She doesn't exactly walk the walk of improving social mobility in her own family.........

She sounds utterly dreadful, and the fact that she's achieved good results in one school doesn't mean a thing. The sort of parents who opt to send their kids to a school like that will already be so highly motivated that their kids won't dare to fail.

@EdgeOfTheSky

More than half of young people in the UK go to University.

So what blocks social mobility?

Interesting that the Gvt has appointed someone whose emphasis is on ‘making the oiks behave’ rather than tackling the exclusive elite cliques that control many job sectors, or addressing poverty and overcrowding on inner city estates.

Beautifully put!

To my mind, a decent education is about a lot more than exam performance. The 11+ was still a thing when I was at school, I got a scholarship to an independent grammar.

I got decent results, but my education gave me so much more than that: confidence, critical thinking, the ability to debate and discuss, and (not least, by any means) a love of language and literature that is still with me 50 years later.

It was years before I realised how exceptionally lucky I was, and that most schools didn't offer anything like the opportunities I had. I doubt if I'd have come away from a school like the one started by this woman with anything but a deep sense of grievance after being punished for losing a pencil.

@mustlovegin

These have been quoted as her views. They are topics she has likely reflected substantially upon, coming from a non-white background herself and having had to emigrate from New Zealand to Canada and then to the UK. She must know a thing or two about how best to achieve integration

Birbalsingh maintains that children of black and ethnic minority backgrounds are not sufficiently taught about British culture or Britishness in schools which has left them feeling "culturally excluded." She argues that such cultural exclusion happens due to teachers placing more emphasis on the ethnicity of children than on promoting British national identity, stating "Teachers would tell them all the time they weren't part of the country—they say what country are you really from? Let's do a cultural thing where we all bring in our flags. The people who are doing this think they're being nice. They think they're being respectful" but that children "didn't get taught about Shakespeare and Dickens—or that they were part of their country."

Birbalsingh is opposed to teaching children about white privilege in schools and subjecting staff or pupils to unconscious bias training, arguing that such measures encourage racial segregation over constructively solving racism and distract from the true meaning of education.[43][44] She has also maintained that using the term white privilege is unhelpful to ethnic minority students as it creates an exaggerated perception that they are perpetually oppressed by the political establishment and diminishes incentives to work hard

I notice she is always talking negatively about Black people and culture because she knows it brings her attention added to the fact she is mixed raced.

With the whole talk of racism, BLM recently dominating the headlines speaking and agreeing with Conservative viewpoints on Black people gains you a lot of fans in the UK especially with the whole culture war we are in. She is not stupid.

@mustlovegin

Her birth family was privileged. She doesn't come from a background of unsupportive parents and community. I don't see how she would understand those diverse cultures and the multi-factorial aspects that lead to under-achievement

Her father was a teacher and her mother a nurse, I wouldn't say that counts as particularly privileged. Also, how would she not understand 'diverse cultures', her own background is very diverse. People are quick to slag off someone as soon as they see they present a different opinion and don't parrot a sufficiently sanitised leftist rhetoric. It's a shame, frankly

How is this a left or right issue lol?

There are legit reasons why some people may dislike her. Some Black people on social media and Black people in the media have been highly critical of her and see her as basically constantly criticising Black people to raise her profile.

There are legit reasons why some people may dislike her

I can see why someone who intends to advance their career through constant Tweeter presence can appear a bit suspect.

It's just that those two specific quotes seem to focus on not making people feel like victims and to emphasise where they live now as opposed to where they come from to facilitate integration. They are interesting points of view IMO as opposed to identity politics that only seems to fuel division and vindictiveness. I don't know what else she may have said as I don't follow her, so can't comment on the rest

@mustlovegin

There are legit reasons why some people may dislike her

I can see why someone who intends to advance their career through constant Tweeter presence can appear a bit suspect.

It's just that those two specific quotes seem to focus on not making people feel like victims and to emphasise where they live now as opposed to where they come from to facilitate integration. They are interesting points of view IMO as opposed to identity politics that only seems to fuel division and vindictiveness. I don't know what else she may have said as I don't follow her, so can't comment on the rest

I actually agree with some of opinions such as having higher expectations for ethnic minority students, banning phones in schools and enforcing stricter policies on behaviour management in schools

But her constant appearances in the media especially on right leaning outlets like Spiked and Talk Radio as well as saying things like 'if a teacher is accused of racism, back the teacher 100%' makes me think she might be one of those 'talking heads' that is being used to push an agenda. I don't even know has she has time to run a school as well writing books, and being all over the media.

Since KB's dad kept moving continents for lecturer jobs -- he was talented. He wasn't someone without a lot going for him. Last I checked (Brexit) anyone teaching at university counted as 'elite' so that's what they are. Profile said that dad was a cool-headed intellectual & mom was a firey evangelist. KB is/was 4th generation teacher (lots of very educated "middle class" ancestry).

I don't understand how being child of university academic & a health professional helps her understand under-achieving working class (white) non-immigrant lads from under-achieving under-educated under-aspirational families. Or families where no one in family ever left the county where they live now (rural poverty I'm looking at you). Growing up with immersed in those backgrounds isn't part of KB's diversity.

She's got a native prejudice that "self-discipline" is all the under-aspirational need. I'm with her on believing that if you set challenges, teens often rise to them. They enjoy the challenge. But also, need supportive parents. Not the types that kick off about weird stuff -- like healthy food initiatives & pass thru KFC at the school gates.

How Is She Going to help those kids without supportive parents?

I don't understand how being child of university academic & a health professional helps her understand under-achieving working class (white) non-immigrant lads from under-achieving under-educated under-aspirational families

This is a good point. Often these children are overlooked

You don't have just ignore the topic of "white privilege" and unconscious bias and it simple ceases to be an issue. That's a gross simplification. Reno Eddo-Lodge unpacks privilege and much more in "Why I'm no longer talking to White people about race"..why attitudes like "oh I don't see colour" aren't actually helpful as they mean the real obstacles and issues faced are also unseen.

How can it be unhelpful to understand unconscious bias? Seeing and naming obstacles means something can be done about them.

Her position seems to be "obedience".

@MasterGland

I think it is a good appointment. She won't be in the job long, though. She speaks her mind and so won't be consistently "on message" for the Tories. She is a true social conservative and so will play very well to large swathes of the public.

Yes, she will stand up to the Tories. And she knows a heck of a lot about social mobility. Anyone who works in a school in a deprived catchment area does.

And OP you ask, 'what does she have to offer children who are disabled or who have disadvantaged background?' when she teaches in a school were almost all the kids are from a disadvantaged background. I think perhaps you'd feel less worried if you knew more about her.

One of the great things about her is she give the kids in her school the extra skills to get on, not just the grades. They teach them to be kind, and how to talk to adults confidently, great for job interviews, and to have pride in themselves and their work.

I also like how open the school is. Other teachers from other schools can and do book to go round the school and have lunch in the school dining room. Most people seem impressed with the school and with the kids.

How is any of the above regressive? Unless you'd prefer those kids not to have those life chances....

How is she going to help kids without supportive parents?
I think that's the big problem facing all educators.

Its a truly exceptional child to rise above parental neglect, and nothing really makes up for a living home.

She is very vocal on Twitter and was trending because of some believe that children are born evil or something.
I have never seen a headteacher or a school that are so political and self promoting. I have noticed a lot of the teachers at her school are on Twitter and always reposting pro Conservative points/journalists etc..
Are other secondary schools like this?

I didn't see her say that children are born evil.
She did defend the concept of original sin - I do too, in a more secular way. You know, the line between good and evil cuts through every human heart. You're unlikely to run into the likes of Hitler in your life, everyone else is mix of dark and light.

Though I do agree that she shouldn't be so vocal on media. People in her position should stay out of sm political fights.

@1Week

I didn't see her say that children are born evil. She did defend the concept of original sin - I do too, in a more secular way. You know, the line between good and evil cuts through every human heart. You're unlikely to run into the likes of Hitler in your life, everyone else is mix of dark and light.

Though I do agree that she shouldn't be so vocal on media. People in her position should stay out of sm political fights.

Like I said headteachers rarely do that. I don't see the headteacher of Brampton Manor, the East London school school that sent more kids to Oxbridge than Eton all over the media giving his political views, and slagging off 'progressive teachers' and 'left wing' teachers.

i can see why some people on social media think she is being paid to say all these things because it is very unusual for a headteacher to do that.

Some teachers on Twitter reckons she is being paid by right wingers/Conservative party to be deliberately controversial on Twitter to push conservative ideas and try and get teachers on her side. Basically like a teacher version of Piers Morgan.

If you follow her you will notice after she always tweets controversial stuff (which is really unusual for a headteacher to do) and always appears on right wing outlets like TalkRadio and Spiked to bash progressive teachers/thinkers.

From what I have seen they only accept children whose parents accept and buy into the rules. I don't disagree with some of the rules and expectations and they undoubtedly lead to good outcomes. However, they are to a degree cherry picking the children who will abide by these rules.

@cansu

From what I have seen they only accept children whose parents accept and buy into the rules. I don't disagree with some of the rules and expectations and they undoubtedly lead to good outcomes. However, they are to a degree cherry picking the children who will abide by these rules.

I don't think this is true

The admissions system is a lottery, so anybody who puts the school down as one of the choices has a chance of getting a place. So yes clearly the parents will know about the school and their policies to have put them down as one of their choices in the first place, however a parent could put the school down 4th instead of 1st in their rankings and their child may end up at the school due to the lottery system.