Planet Normal: Labour is pushing Marxist ideology, says Britain’s ‘strictest headteacher’

Katharine Birbalsingh co-founded Michaela Community School in a deprived area of Brent, north London. Children there flourish, from whatever background.

Katharine is no stranger to controversy. Branded Britain’s strictest headteacher for her approach to uniform wearing and the standards of behaviour expected of her pupils, she remains passionate about the success of everyone who attends the school.

That is why she is so critical of Labour’s education policy.

She told the Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player above: “ I do see a sense of Marxism that is coursing through the veins of the [new education] bill.  Bridget Phillipson is looking at this in a manner that is just not very informed. You see her Marxist outlook in every decision that she’s making.

“ Social mobility is not something that you can just place upon children, you need to inspire them to take ownership of their own lives and jump over the obstacles that are in front of them.

“They need to feel like they belong to their school and wear their uniform. They need to work hard to get grades at GCSE that will compete with the boys at Eton. They need to own their lives and push themselves forward. It’s about self empowerment, it is not about holding your hand out to the state and saying: ‘Please give me more.” And that is unfortunately what a Marxist view will do.”

Katharine recently wrote a letter to the Education Secretary outlining her concerns and has received an invitation to the Department for Education for a meeting which Liam promises will be followed up by Planet Normal.