Britain's "Strictest Headteacher" Katharine Birbalsingh has called for children to take personal responsibility rather than viewing themselves as victims of racism.
Speaking at the ARC Conference, the founder of Michaela Community School criticised what she described as a "victim narrative" particularly affecting brown and black children in inner cities.
"They think you need to see yourself as a victim and everyone is against you", Birbalsingh said on GB News.
She challenged the notion of a "culture of grievance", arguing instead that children should focus on their own agency and actions.
Katharine Birbalsingh says children should take personal responsibility
GB NEWS
Birbalsingh emphasised that obstacles are an inevitable part of life, regardless of background.
"You're going to have all kinds of obstacles in front of you. Whatever your race, whatever your religion, there will always be obstacles", she said.
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Birbalsingh spoke to Miriam Cates
GB NEWS
The headteacher argued that such challenges should be viewed as opportunities rather than barriers.
"You cannot see those obstacles as something to block you. Obstacles are what make life challenging and interesting. That's why we live", she explained.
She stressed the importance of personal agency in overcoming these challenges.
"We can gain the skills and the knowledge to be able to jump those obstacles and look back at the end and think, 'I did that'", Birbalsingh added.
Katharine Birbalsingh spoke on GB News
GB NEWS
At her London school, Birbalsingh implements practices that reinforce this message of personal responsibility.
The school has made the recitation of the poem "Invictus" a regular practice.
"We recite Invictus. A number of schools have copied us on this idea", she said.
The poem's final lines hold particular significance for Birbalsingh's educational philosophy.
"You're the master of your own fate, you're the captain of your soul", she explained, quoting the poem's closing verses.
The practice has gained traction, with other schools adopting the same approach.
Birbalsingh's vision extends beyond her own school, as she works to spread Michaela Community School's principles across the country.
"I'm very keen on trying to get the principles of Michaela far and wide across the country", she said.
The school has become a model for educators nationwide, attracting significant interest from teaching professionals.
Each year, approximately 800 visitors, primarily teachers, observe the school's methods in action.
"These ideas do spread", Birbalsingh noted, highlighting the growing influence of her educational approach.
