Katharine Birbalsingh, head teacher of Michaela Community School in London, is celebrating a significant academic achievement, with nearly 70% of her students' exam entries receiving A or A* grades. This figure more than doubles the national average of 28.5%.
Michaela Community School, located in Brent, London, serves one of the country's most deprived communities and prioritizes a rigorous academic curriculum alongside a strict disciplinary approach. The school reported that a third of its entries were graded A*, surpassing the national average of 9.6%. Additionally, 10% of students achieved all A* grades, with two students accepted into Oxbridge.
These results come as the new Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, has voiced concerns that an overemphasis on academic subjects might be detrimental to disadvantaged pupils. Powell suggested that such a focus can leave students feeling like a failure.
Responding to the news, Tory education spokesman Laura Trott commented on X, stating, "Looking forward to Lucy Powell explaining how these results will be detrimental to the children involved." Ms. Birbalsingh expressed her delight, noting that 11% of her students will pursue medicine and 85% will attend Russell Group universities.
Michaela Community School has a history of strong performance, previously holding the top 'Progress 8' score, which measures student improvement against prior attainment. The school's success has been attributed to its 'no excuses' philosophy and a behavior 'boot camp' for new students. However, Birbalsingh's methods have faced criticism from some in the educational establishment, who argue against her back-to-basics approach and narrow focus on academics.
Birbalsingh, who established Michaela in 2010 with the aim of providing disadvantaged children with an education comparable to that of private schools, has been a vocal critic of educational policies she deems Marxist. Her approach has been seen as a model that the Conservative party has sought to replicate in other schools.
Powell, in a recent article for The Times, argued that schools prioritizing academics are in a "straitjacket" that hinders student potential. She linked this approach to figures showing a million young people not in formal study, training, or work, despite the fact that subjects like mathematics, English, and science are favored by top universities and employers.
Nationally, A-level results saw a rise for the third consecutive year, with 28.5% of all entries achieving at least an A grade, a record high outside of the pandemic years. A* grades were awarded to 9.6% of entries. These results follow a record number of university acceptances, with 446,690 applicants admitted to courses, according to admissions body Ucas.