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