British Identity: How Schools Can Improve Multiculturalism (Katharine Birbalsingh)

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Oct 2, 2025

Katherine Birbalsingh, headteacher and founder of Michaela Community School, passionately discusses the need for a unified approach to education in Britain. She argues against a focus on diversity that fosters victimhood, favoring instead the teaching of British culture and traditional values. With a critical eye on government reforms, Katherine advocates for strict discipline and knowledge-led teaching. She highlights her school's success through shared values and community, believing that preserving these can help transform the lives of disadvantaged children.

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INSIGHT

Shared Rituals Build Cohesion

Schools can actively shape successful multiculturalism by teaching shared rituals and practices like communal meals.
Katherine Birbalsingh changed lunch to vegetarian so pupils could 'break bread' together and avoid dividing by religion.

INSIGHT

Unity Trumps Mere Diversity

Birbalsingh argues unity, not raw diversity, is what strengthens institutions and communities.
She compares a team wearing the same shirt to a school needing consistent practices and expectations to succeed.

INSIGHT

Victimhood As A Social Currency

Emphasising victimhood can incentivise children to adopt grievance as currency and chase persecuted identities.
Birbalsingh says schools should teach pupils to overcome obstacles and aim to be 'victors' rather than 'victims.'

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Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh thinks multiculturalism in Britain has led to an excessive focus on our differences rather than what unites us, but she believes schools like hers can change that by teaching traditional values and British culture.

Known for enforcing strict discipline at Michaela Community School in north London, Katharine explains why she promotes unity over diversity.

She is also critical of those in power who ignore what she sees as the concerns of “white British people”, which she says breeds resentment towards minorities.

And she tells Amol why she's opposed to the government’s school’s bill and what she makes of Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

In a statement the Department for Education said: "This government is delivering transformative education reforms so every child can achieve and thrive, regardless of their background or postcode because expecting a great education for all children should never be controversial.

"The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will be a seminal moment for the safety and success of our children, introducing common-sense measures backed by parents and teachers that ensure excellence and support - from highly qualified teachers and a cutting-edge curriculum, to reduced costs for families through breakfast clubs and school uniforms.”

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.