It has been described as the "strictest school in Britain",[3][4][5][6][7][8] and achieved among the best GCSE results in the nation among its first cohort of students.

[15] It was named after Birbalsingh's former colleague Michaela Emanus,[7] a West Indian teacher from Saint Lucia, who died of cancer in 2011.

One commentator described the school as an example of a discipline-focused method of teaching children becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

[29][30][31] The school has been described as a beneficiary of former UK Education secretary Michael Gove’s support, both financially[32] and bureaucratically.

[37] The school policies have been described as "neo-strict" because it combines the use of punishments with rewards; "merit points" are given for good behaviour and achievement.

The school aims to teach a "culture of kindness", which includes helping each other and their families, and offering adults their seats on buses and the Tube.

There was criticism in July 2016 when it was discovered families who were errant in paying had their children held in "lunch isolation" where pupils eat and do schoolwork in a separate room for the full lunchtime.

The school upholds the practice as part of its focus on personal responsibility, and reports that no child is left without lunch.

[50] In November, it was praised by Andreas Schleicher, coordinator of the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Strict, but with a warm heart beating below the surface, Michaela creates a safe, but stimulating environment, and the chance to fly".

[54] In April 2022, the school’s headteacher gave evidence in front of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee.

Her comment on the underrepresentation of girls doing Physics at A-Level and university sparked controversy amongst equality activists.