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Original poster

Is this the mother of all calling out - Katherine Birbalsingh

767 replies

DramaFatigue · 02/07/2023 08:06

Katherine Birbalsingh has done the mother of all calling out and I can't help but sit here with my jaw on the kitchen table in awe.

She has written a 4-page open letter to Sir Kerr Starmer calling out Jess Phillip's behaviour online. Whilst I don't always agree with KB's methods of the school she runs, I do think that Jess Phillips behaviour towards her is shocking and unbefitting of someone who could be running the country. JP should resign TBH.

https://news.sky.com/story/headteacher-katharine-birbalsingh-brands-labour-mp-jess-phillips-social-media-posts-racist-and-bullying-12913139

Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh brands Labour MP Jess Phillips' social media posts 'racist and bullying'

Katharine Birbalsingh addressed the open letter to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Labour has not commented on the matter and Sky News has contacted Ms Phillips for her response.

https://news.sky.com/story/headteacher-katharine-birbalsingh-brands-labour-mp-jess-phillips-social-media-posts-racist-and-bullying-12913139

OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
shropshirewitch · 03/07/2023 13:01

KB is the one with the pupil who identifies as a cat, yes? Ie. a total fantasist.

lifeissweet · 03/07/2023 13:04

shropshirewitch · 03/07/2023 13:01

KB is the one with the pupil who identifies as a cat, yes? Ie. a total fantasist.

She is, undoubtedly, a rather odd person. I have never known a Head Teacher to be such a self-publicist.

She used to write a blog about her sex life too, which is very easy to find for her students. It's incredibly strange that she commands so much respect when she carries on the way she does.

All of which makes me more suspicious about the control tactics used at Michaela.

Iwasafool · 03/07/2023 13:34

lifeissweet · 03/07/2023 13:08

Weird indeed. I didn't like the bit about talking about black/brown/white men and the size of their "package." I wouldn't like a man writing like that about women and I don't like it anymore when a woman does it.

The bit about "demonising" her oh so challenging class is puzzling, did she really think they were that challenging and if so how good is she at judging children and their behaviour?

I find her creepier and creepier.

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 13:42

"The school JP attended is very very hard to get into."
It's a grammar school. You know-those establishments that Tories love because they are such pinnacles of equality.

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 13:53

shropshirewitch · 03/07/2023 13:01

KB is the one with the pupil who identifies as a cat, yes? Ie. a total fantasist.

What? That’s not right, cat was a different school

Iwasafool · 03/07/2023 14:15

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 13:42

"The school JP attended is very very hard to get into."
It's a grammar school. You know-those establishments that Tories love because they are such pinnacles of equality.

But if KB's sixth form is harder to get into than a very hard to get into grammar school sixth form it is little wonder they get good results. If you hand pick high achieving students it would be more of a surprise if they didn't do well.

lifeissweet · 03/07/2023 14:21

Sunnyegg, KB did tweet about the cat saying she was aware of some children that do identify as such. Not in her own school, though.

I think it's unlikely that she does. She just can't resist commenting on any old crap to be relevant.

Is it clear that I don't like her much? I don't happen to think JP covers herself in glory a lot of the time. I think her use of Twitter is dubious to say the least, but I think this little spat is unedifying all round.

I do also think that, in this case, it's KB's handling of the whole thing that is causing the issue. The letter was crass and childish. She could have taken the high road, but she has lost all of my limited sympathy with her carry on.

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 14:43

"What? That’s not right, cat was a different school"

I'm afraid "the cat is at a different school" made me laugh....

CecilyP · 03/07/2023 15:26

Yes, I just checked the entry requirements for Michaela 6th form and thought they were awfully high. So I wondered how they compared with a grammar school and thought what better one to choose! So while Michaela might be non selective at 11 it is more selective than Camp Hill to stay on or join for sixth form. And if my maths is correct, its catchment area is 78 square miles!

Cherryblossoms85 · 03/07/2023 15:29

I don't know why KB uses Twitter rbh. It seems to do her no favours, what's the point really.

flurbubbly · 03/07/2023 15:46

Well it's good that she's admitted to making such a howler of a mistake, shame she forgot to actually apologise.

Imagine lying and falsely accusing someone of racism because you can't read, and then doubling down and continuing to play the victim.

She runs a school, does a headmistress really not have anything better to do than spend hours on Twitter writing childish tweets like "dear random person I am unblocking you because [stupid argument point]"

She's just a thick attention seeker trying to chase clout and celebrity. Probably only a matter of time before she goes on I'm a Celeb Get Me Out of Here. Shame she's chosen kids as her way of chasing fame and attention, though.

These Twitter fights she constantly gets into certainly ensures her a ready supply of media attention.

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 16:02

flurbubbly · 03/07/2023 15:46

Well it's good that she's admitted to making such a howler of a mistake, shame she forgot to actually apologise.

Imagine lying and falsely accusing someone of racism because you can't read, and then doubling down and continuing to play the victim.

She runs a school, does a headmistress really not have anything better to do than spend hours on Twitter writing childish tweets like "dear random person I am unblocking you because [stupid argument point]"

She's just a thick attention seeker trying to chase clout and celebrity. Probably only a matter of time before she goes on I'm a Celeb Get Me Out of Here. Shame she's chosen kids as her way of chasing fame and attention, though.

These Twitter fights she constantly gets into certainly ensures her a ready supply of media attention.

Why do politicians bother with it?

Does she have loads of them following her Twitter feed

Phillips could focus her energy and criticisms elsewhere

itsgettingweird · 03/07/2023 16:13

Quiverer · 03/07/2023 10:09

I wonder how KB's staff and pupils are feeling today in terms of respect for their headteacher, knowing she's spent the weekend making a tit of herself all over twitter.

Makes you wonder exactly why she encourages her students to stay off SM!

lifeissweet · 03/07/2023 16:48

I also wonder how many anonymous accounts contributing to her pile on are her own staff, parents and pupils....

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 17:20

"Phillips could focus her energy and criticisms elsewhere"

Why? She seems pretty effective to me-Twitter is a powerful medium, even now.

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:26

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 17:20

"Phillips could focus her energy and criticisms elsewhere"

Why? She seems pretty effective to me-Twitter is a powerful medium, even now.

Effective in what way?

Starting Twitter spats with Head teachers?

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:29

Not saying she has to get off Twitter btw, although I see others have suggested that for KB

But to follow a HT on there and start a SM spat seems a lot pointless

Does KB get a high number of politicians following

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:29

Lot - bit

LittleBearPad · 03/07/2023 17:38

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:29

Not saying she has to get off Twitter btw, although I see others have suggested that for KB

But to follow a HT on there and start a SM spat seems a lot pointless

Does KB get a high number of politicians following

JP didn’t start it.

A lot of people had pointed out the crassness of the post when she did.

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:41

LittleBearPad · 03/07/2023 17:38

JP didn’t start it.

A lot of people had pointed out the crassness of the post when she did.

Show quote history

Did KB first address JP directly or the other way around?

Just because there’s a pile on to a HT it doesn’t mean an MP has to join in

Why would you. It’s not really in remit

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 17:45

@SunnyEgg "Starting Twitter spats with Head teachers?"

As others have pointed out-she did not start it.

What other problems do you have with her Twitter use?

SunnyEgg · 03/07/2023 17:55

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 17:45

@SunnyEgg "Starting Twitter spats with Head teachers?"

As others have pointed out-she did not start it.

What other problems do you have with her Twitter use?

I’d say she did as someone put something up, people piled on and an MP thought they’d involved to make that person feel worse. Why?

What does that even achieve. Surely there are betters ways to look good on social media

As for the other stuff I don’t bother with Twitter at all. This kind of pointless sniping at each other in public sounds unedifying and a waste of time

And yes I’m aware I’m on mn where there is sniping but not under our professional names

CurlewKate · 03/07/2023 18:09

@SunnyEgg "I’d say she did as someone put something up, people piled on and an MP thought they’d involved to make that person feel worse. Why?"
Sorry- in what way is that her starting it?

Iwasafool · 03/07/2023 18:16

JP takes every opportunity to highlight DV. Might seem tasteless to some but I think most people would support that wouldn't they.