Katharine Birbalsingh CBE is one of Britain’s most prominent and principled voices in education, renowned for her unwavering advocacy of discipline, knowledge-rich curricula, and traditional values. As the founder and headteacher of Michaela Community School in Wembley Park—established in 2014—she has led a bold movement to reassert high standards and character education at the heart of British schooling.



Born in New Zealand to an Indo-Guyanese academic and a Jamaican nurse, and raised in Canada and the UK, Katharine's diverse background informs her fearless and unapologetic leadership. A graduate of Oxford University in French and philosophy, she began her career teaching in inner-city state schools and quickly became a leading commentator on education reform. Writing under the pseudonym "Miss Snuffy," her blog To Miss with Love gained a wide readership and sparked national debate on classroom culture and educational values.



An author and editor of several influential books, including Battle Hymn of the Tiger Teachers and Michaela: The Power of Culture, Katharine’s work continues to challenge the status quo in education policy and practice. In recognition of her services to education, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020 and in 2021 was named Chair of the Social Mobility Commission.



Katharine brings courage, clarity, and conviction to the national conversation on education—championing excellence, order, and opportunity for every child..