Tom Bennett: Why He Backs Tough Discipline in Schools

About this episode

Tom Bennett discusses the importance of tough discipline in schools and shares his insights as an education expert.

Tom Bennett OBE is a British author and education expert, best known as the founder of researchED. A former inner-city teacher, he advises the UK government on school behaviour and authored influential books like Running the Room . In 2022, he was awarded an OBE for services to 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. 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. Michaela Community School and Katharine Birbalsingh were both offered the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in this series.

People in this episode

Host: Katharine Birbalsingh

Guests: Tom Bennett, José Mario

Topics covered

• discipline
• education
• school behaviour

Keywords

• researchED
• OBE
• inner-city teacher
• Michaela Community School

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Running the Room

Books & works: Running the Room, OBE, a Master's in Education

Places: UK, Guatemala, Essex, London, Oxford

More episodes of Graded

• Kadra Abdinasir: Punished for Learning? The Hidden Costs of School Discipline · December 4, 2025 · 37 min
• The Future: Is Michaela a Social Mobility Miracle or Myth? · December 1, 2025 · 54 min
• Prof Diane Reay: The Class Politics We Don’t Talk About · November 27, 2025 · 51 min
• Creativity: Cultivated or Controlled at Michaela? · November 24, 2025 · 43 min
• Prof Stephen Ball: How Schools are Failing the Next Generation · November 20, 2025 · 44 min
• Culture: Are Michaela’s ‘British Values’ Integrating or Alienating? · November 17, 2025 · 55 min