Graded

Kadra Abdinasir: Punished for Learning? The Hidden Costs of School Discipline

Kadra shares insights from the “Behaviour and Mental Health in Schools” report, highlighting the rise of zero-tolerance policies, the increase in exclusions, and the equity challenges faced by students from lower-income families, racialised backgrounds, and those with special educational needs. We discuss the real-life impact of these policies, not just on students, but on teachers and families, and consider how trauma-informed and restorative approaches could offer a more supportive path forward. José Mario is an educator and artist, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Essex. They have a background in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in schools, having worked in London and Oxford. Their practice centres on care in education. Mario studied Fine Art at the University of Oxford and later completed a Master's in Education from UCL. Disclaimers  This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions. The series includes an anonymous interview with a former Michaela student. The views expressed reflect this individual’s personal experience and are not representative of all Michaela students. Yap Productions approached several former students, but only one agreed to take part. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this episode. Credits Contracts: Annisha Jhatakia Editor: Beau Falconer Music: Beth Hayden Producers: José Mario Dellow and Tessa Cooper Researchers/Hosts: Marth

The Future: Is Michaela a Social Mobility Miracle or Myth?

In the final episode of this series, we dive into the complex realities of education, social mobility, and the future of schooling in the UK. Our hosts reflect on their own childhood ambitions and experiences, then turn a critical eye to the systems that shape young people’s lives, asking whether a relentless focus on grades and discipline truly prepares students for success, or risks leaving many behind. We unpack the impact of selective sixth forms, challenge the Progress 8 metric, and explore how schools are responding to a world transformed by automation and artificial intelligence. With personal stories, expert insights, and honest debate, this episode questions what it really means to prepare young people for life, and who gets left out of the picture. Follow this link to access the progress 8 information mentioned by Martha. https://ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2024/05/contextualising-progress-8/ [https://ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2024/05/contextualising-progress-8/] Graded is a creative and critical podcast that turns the tables on traditional school evaluation. Series one looks at Michaela Community School in Wembley, led by “Britain’s Strictest Headmistress”, Katharine Birbalsingh. Each of the five episodes explore a key question about Michaela by investigating its practices through storytelling, research, and debate. Michaela acts as a starting point for us to consider broader questions about schooling and education policy. Hosted by a team of inquisitive voices, educators and experts, the show blends personal reflection with rigorous inquiry. Graded holds up a mirror to Michaela’s approach, inviting listeners to rethink what it means to assess education. Martha is an educational researcher, with experience working with the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, as well as various NGOs. She is particularly interested in issues of access, inclusion and equity in education. Martha has a master’s in Education Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a BA in Sociology from Cambridge. Jack is currently a Key Stage 2 teacher with a background in Art and Education studies, holding a Fine Art undergraduate degree and a Master's in 'Education: Culture, Language and Identity'. Previously, he worked for Action for Children in Hackney. He has a strong interest in democratic and radical education. José Mario is an educator and artist, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Essex. They have a background in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in schools, having worked in London and Oxford. Their practice centres on care in education. Mario studied Fine Art at the University of Oxford and later completed a Master's in Education from UCL.   This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions. The series includes an anonymous interview with a former Michaela student. The views expressed reflect this individual’s personal experience and are not representative of all Michaela students. Yap Productions approached several former students, but only one agreed to take part. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this episode. Thanks Thank you to the following experts for their contribution to the series: Maria Arpa MBE  Prof Stephen J. Ball Tom Bennett OBE Phil Beadle Katharine Birbalsingh CBE Prof Guy Claxton Chloe Combi Nomi Fitzsimons Dylan and Hayden (Teach Sleep Repeat Podcast) Prof Diane Reay Andreas Schleicher Dr Kay Sidebottom Credits Contracts: Annisha Jhatakia Editor: Beau Falconer Music: Beth Hayden Producers: José Mario Dellow and Tessa Cooper Researchers/Hosts: Martha Aitken, José Mario Dellow, and Jack Park Sound: Billy Clark

Prof Diane Reay: The Class Politics We Don’t Talk About

Diane Reay is Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge, with particular interests in social justice issues in education and cultural analyses of social class, race and gender. She grew up in a working-class, coal-mining community before becoming an inner-city primary school teacher for 20 years. Her research spans social class, gender and ethnicity across primary, secondary and post-compulsory stages of education.  Martha is an educational researcher, with experience working with the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, as well as various NGOs. She is particularly interested in issues of access, inclusion and equity in education. Martha has a master’s in Education Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a BA in Sociology from Cambridge. Organisation mentioned in the epidose: Socialist Education Association https://socialisteducationalassociation.org [https://socialisteducationalassociation.org] More Than a Score https://www.morethanascore.org.uk/ [https://www.morethanascore.org.uk/] Anti Academies Alliance https://antiacademies.org.uk [https://antiacademies.org.uk] Comprehensive Future https://comprehensivefuture.org.uk [https://comprehensivefuture.org.uk] Disclaimers  This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this series.

Creativity: Cultivated or Controlled at Michaela?

How creativity is understood, taught, and experienced at Michaela. Through classroom observations, interviews with educators, artists, and a former student, we ask: does Michaela’s focus on discipline and knowledge nurture creative thinking, or does it limit experimentation and self-expression? We discuss the role of play, risk-taking, and collaboration in creative development, and contrast Michaela’s structured approach with more open, exploratory models of learning. The episode features perspectives from educators who value knowledge as the foundation for creativity, as well as voices who argue that true creativity requires freedom, flexibility, and the ability to make mistakes. Graded is a creative and critical podcast that turns the tables on traditional school evaluation. Series 1 looks at Michaela Community School in Wembley, led by “Britain’s Strictest Headmistress”, Katharine Birbalsingh. Each of the 5 episodes explore a key question about Michaela by investigating its practices through storytelling, research, and debate. Michaela acts as a starting point for us to consider broader questions about schooling and education policy. Hosted by a team of inquisitive voices, educators and experts, the show blends personal reflection with rigorous inquiry.  Host Bios Jack is currently a Key Stage 2 teacher with a background in Art and Education studies, holding a Fine Art undergraduate degree and a Master's in 'Education: Culture, Language and Identity'. Previously, he worked for Action for Children in Hackney. He has a strong interest in democratic and radical education. José Mario is an educator and artist, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Essex. They have a background in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in schools, having worked in London and Oxford. Their practice centres on care in education. Mario studied Fine Art at the University of Oxford and later completed a Master's in Education from UCL. Martha is an educational researcher, with experience working with the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, as well as various NGOs. She is particularly interested in issues of access, inclusion and equity in education. Martha has a master’s in Education Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a BA in Sociology from Cambridge. Disclaimers  This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions. The series includes an anonymous interview with a former Michaela student. The views expressed reflect this individual’s personal experience and are not representative of all Michaela students. Yap Productions approached several former students, but only one agreed to take part. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this series. We did not receive a response.  Thank you to the following experts for their contribution: Maria Arpa MBE  Prof Stephen J. Ball Tom Bennett OBE Phil Beadle Katharine Birbalsingh CBE Professor Guy Claxton Chloe Combi Nomi Fitzsimons Dylan and Hayden (Teach Sleep Repeat Podcast) Professor Diane Reay Andreas Schleicher Dr Kay Sidebottom Contracts: Annisha Jhatakia Editor: Beau Falconer and Tessa Cooper Music: Beth Hayden Producers: José Mario Dellow and Tessa Cooper Researchers/Hosts: Martha Aitken, José Mario Dellow, and Jack Park Sound: Billy Clark Voice Actor: Sofie Potter

Prof Stephen Ball: How Schools are Failing the Next Generation

Our bonus interview episodes continue, this time with Professor Stephen Ball. Professor Stephen J. Ball is one of the world’s leading scholars in the sociology of education and education policy. Currently based at University College London’s Institute of Education, he has shaped global debates on social justice, marketization, and governance in education. A Fellow of the British Academy and the Academy of Social Sciences, Ball has authored numerous influential books and articles, and serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Education Policy. His work bridges theory and practice, offering critical insights into how policy impacts schools, teachers, and learners worldwide. José Mario is an educator and artist, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Essex. They have a background in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in schools, having worked in London and Oxford. Their practice centres on care in education. Mario studied Fine Art at the University of Oxford and later completed a Master's in Education from UCL. Disclaimers  This podcast aims to provide a balanced and research-informed discussion. Every effort has been made to include a range of perspectives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Yap Productions or any affiliated institutions. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this series.