Katharine Birbalsingh, often called Britain’s strictest headteacher, has strongly criticized Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over a proposed policy that she believes will seriously harm academies. She claims that Phillipson is not listening to school leaders and that her policies will have long-term negative effects on students.
A Heated Exchange Over Education Policy
The headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent, London, met with Phillipson earlier this month. During their conversation, tensions rose over the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The bill has not yet been signed into law but has already sparked debate.
According to meeting minutes obtained by Schools Week through a freedom of information request, Phillipson asked Birbalsingh to lower her tone and remove the heat from the discussion. The Education Secretary’s request suggests that the conversation had become quite intense.
When asked about the exchange, Birbalsingh expressed concern over the minister’s approach. “I think she would do well to listen to school leaders, but she’s not listening to them, and that’s a big worry,” she told the PA news agency.
She added, “The Education Secretary seems to believe that because she went to school in Sunderland, she knows how to run schools. That is not the same as leading a school. School leaders have experience on the ground. It is concerning that she appears unwilling to hear them out.”
Uniform Policy Changes Raise Concerns
One of Birbalsingh’s biggest criticisms is the bill’s plan to limit the number of branded uniform items schools can require. Under the proposed rules, primary schools would only be allowed to demand up to three branded items, while secondary schools could require up to four.
Birbalsingh believes this change would negatively impact student behavior. “When struggling schools ask how to improve, we tell them to start with uniforms. It’s part of the broken windows theory—if you enforce discipline and order in small ways, it sets the tone for everything else,” she said.
She argues that reducing the number of branded items could make it harder for schools to set clear behavioral expectations. “Some schools need uniform policies to create structure. This rule will take away an important tool that helps schools improve,” she explained.
Academies at Risk
Beyond the uniform policy, Birbalsingh believes the bill as a whole will cause serious damage to academies. “She’s about to totally destroy academies,” she warned. “She probably thinks she’s helping poor children with these policies, but she’s actually making things worse for them. The effects might not be visible right away, but they will show in the years to come.”
She also mentioned that other school leaders share her concerns. “Many school leaders are worried about this bill, but they feel like they can’t speak out publicly. I’ve talked to a lot of them, and they are deeply concerned,” she said.
The Role of AI in Education
During her remarks, Birbalsingh also voiced strong opposition to the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. Her comments came just a day after actress Sophie Winkleman spoke at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference, calling digital learning “neurological junk food.”
Birbalsingh agrees that AI and digital tools should not replace traditional learning methods. “Children learn better when they read and write things down. Being on a screen reduces how much they absorb,” she explained.
She went on to say, “AI might be able to do many things better than humans soon, but that’s exactly why we need to focus on real human skills. Writing, reading, and critical thinking are irreplaceable.”
At Michaela Community School, Birbalsingh’s team strongly discourages the use of smartphones. “We tell parents not to give their kids smartphones at all. In school, they are completely banned, and we advise families to avoid them at home too,” she said.
Opposition to Digital Learning
Sophie Winkleman, known for her role in Peep Show, also spoke against digital learning at the Arc Conference. She criticized the idea that virtual experiences can replace imagination. “Why should we digitally transport children to the Egyptian pyramids when they can imagine them? This type of flashy engagement doesn’t work,” she said.
She added, “AI is going to outperform humans in many areas. Schools should move away from digital learning and focus on teaching real human skills that AI cannot replace.”
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Department for Education declined to comment on the private meeting between Phillipson and Birbalsingh. However, they emphasized that the Education Secretary values open discussion.
“As the Education Secretary said in her speech at the CSJ, debate around education policy is welcome. Ministers will always meet with a wide range of stakeholders with different views,” the spokesperson said.
The debate over the bill is far from over, and its impact on schools remains uncertain. As discussions continue, school leaders and policymakers will need to find common ground to ensure students receive the best education possible.
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