Kids, critics and the courage of Kate Clanchy

Victoria Smith | The Critic Magazine

In 2019, the iPaper published an extract from Kate Clanchy’s then-celebrated book Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me. At the time, it sparked little criticism, but today it would likely face significant backlash.

The extract was titled “What I learned from teaching in a unit landing troubled children too disruptive for school classrooms,” a phrase that could provoke outrage for its blunt depiction of children.

Clanchy's descriptions are unflattering and stark. She writes:

“They don’t look well. Often, they don’t even look young.”

She observes physical signs of struggle: Simon has premature wrinkles on his forehead, Dave carries a middle-aged belly. The girls appear as defeated, harmless mothers queuing in the Co-op.

After establishing this image of abject passivity, Clanchy confronts the reader with a harsher truth:

“Each one of these kids has the power to end learning in any mainstream classroom at any time, and each of their powers, as always in a gathering of superheroes, is different.”

This reveals the complex reality of excluded children—they are far from harmless and possess unique, disruptive energies.

Clanchy highlights that writers must be willing to take risks, even if it means upsetting or angering others.

“Writers have to be able to take risks, even if that means angering or upsetting people.”

Her controversial depiction invites readers to reconsider assumptions about troubled children and the challenges of education.

Author's summary: Kate Clanchy's candid portrayal of troubled children sparks debate about the complexities of teaching marginalized youth and the courage needed to share uncomfortable truths.

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The Critic — 2025-11-10

Kids, Critics and the Courage of Kate Clanchy

Victoria Smith | The Critic Magazine

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