The UK's Strictest Teacher

Controversial New Zealand-born head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh founded Michaela Park Community School, a charter-style inner-city school in North West London, in 2014.

She has been called the "strictest teacher in Britain" and Michaela, Britain's strictest school, but says the school's military ethos works, especially for the disadvantaged inner-city pupils who go there.


Lead in

1. Do you worry about your attendance?
2. What are the differences between private and public schools?
3. Do kids from less affluent families get a fair chance at education in your country?

Attendance debate - Channel 4

The UK's Strictest Teacher

Before listening

1. Where should a teacher stand for most of the lesson?

A) Front of the class

B) The teacher should move around the class, interacting with the students

C) A mix of A and B

 

2. Which do you think provides better opportunities for learning?

A) A group project

B) An individual assignment

C) Studying for an exam or test

 

3. What kind of learning environment is best for most students?

A) A strict, disciplined, orderly environment

B) A dynamic, creative, interactive environment

C) A mic of A and B

 

4. What should a the focus of a teacher be?

A) Promoting thinking

B) Promoting knowledge retention

C) Promoting competition

 

 

Listen

1.What is "a more traditional approach" to education according Katharine?
2. Katharine describes her school as an _____ of calm.
3. Why does Katharine say her students like the strictness of her school?
4. What is at the core of her approach to teaching?
5. What is the focus?
6. Why do they avoid group work in her school?
7. What is Katharine's view of her students' parents?
8. What is Katharine's view of time?
9. Why does Katharine think partnership schools are great?
10. What adjectives are used to describe the pupils?
11. What is the prerequisite for a student to question what they learn, according to Katharine?
12. What is Katharine's view on 'dreamers'?
13. How do Katharine's critics describe her system?
14. In what way does Katharine believe project-based learning fails socially deprived students?


Discussion

1. Would you consider sending your kids to Katharine's school?
2. How would proponents of project-based learning answer her criticisms?
3. Do you think the teacher should deliver a lesson from the front of class or try to move around and interact more with individual students?
4. What problems might occur in this school?
5. Were you / are you afraid of any of your teachers? Can this be a good thing?
6. Is the Katharine's restrictive idea of knowledge liberating for the kinds of kids she teaches?
7. What happens if more and more schools adopt her model?