Summerhill

Educationalists saw that mainstream schooling was becoming relatively restricted, so they began to look for alternate methods of teaching. One method that came to attention was 'free schooling', which was founded in 1921 by Alexander Sutherland Neill in Summerhill School.

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Summerhill overcame the pressures to conform to the usual rules and regulations of other schools, and after 90 years of teaching, still continues to allow self-governed education today. The teaching methods of this school have shown that pupils that attend are tolerant, considerate and self-confident when allocated space to be themselves. Summerhill is in attendance of both children that board during term, as well as day pupils, catering for children of all backgrounds.

 

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"The freedom at Summerhill is the right to play. All lessons are optional, there is no pressure to conform to adult ideas of growing up." 
- Summerhill School

 



A broad range of subjects are available at Summerhill, and available to GCSE level. Timetables are created each term with free access to computers, art and woodwork; although there is no compulsion to attend. Flanagan (2006) believed that 'freedom' is the central ethos of the school.

"Summerhill's GCSE results are above average, but they don't offer A levels. " - Tom Condi (2007)

 

Summerhill recognises the significant impact that learning with feeling and emotion has on a pupils' education, and appreciates individuals for who they are instead of what achievements they are capable of. Pupils gain qualifications due to desire and not because they are made to. This aspect grants them with the opportunity to pursue an education with a natural aspiration to learn without pressure. Pupils also have open classrooms where they are free to socialise and get on with their own work etc. These rooms are accessible at all times.
 

Assessment and concerns are discussed regularly by staff in community meetings to ensure the needs of the children are fulfilled. Pupils are expected to comply to reasonable conduct, bullying vandalism or any other form of antisocial behaviour is deemed unacceptable and is dealt with immediate effect by the schools staff.





 

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Summerhill provides plenty of opportunity. It's surrounded by twelve acres of land to build huts, climb trees, create bonfires, camp and have total freedom to let the pupils imaginations grow. This is a brilliant feature for a school to have. It allows ultimate freedom in a safe, enclosed environment; and ultimately provides the space for more active learners to explore and develop new skills. 

 

Any new children, or children that are seen to be having difficulty with learning are put onto the Special Attention list which focuses on helping children overcome obstacles through appropriate assessment by staff and involvement of the Ombudsmen. This, I believe is a good asset to the school because even though the children are given time to themselves and the freedom to do as they wish, the teaching staff still have enough involvement to make sure they are getting the best out of their learning and ensure they overcome any problems they are faced with to the best of their ability.

 

 

 

Everyone at Summerhill is equal. Adults do not use their authority to inflict values or to problem solve, matters are dealt with by the individual, with the help of friends or by the community meeting with the presence of the Ombudsmen.

Summerhill aims to allow natural development; allowing it's pupils to take responsibility and control of their well-being. Teachers show faith in the intelligence and wisdom of their pupils; sincerity is encouraged and they believe in equal authority.

I think providing children with the freedom to take control of their own learning like they do at Summerhill, is a beneficial aspect to their life long learning. It helps develop skills and personal assets that they will use and require on a daily basis; beyond education. These may include independence, self motivating skills, responsibility, tolerance towards others and decision making. Children learn because they want to, and are free from pressures and stresses associated with exams and other regular testing.


Bibliography:

A.S Neill's Summerhill. 2008. About Summerhill. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/. [Accessed 02 September 14].

BBC News. 2010. Summerhill School ten years after victory over OFSTED. [ONLINE] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/suffolk/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8743000/8743801.stm. [Accessed 02 September 14].

Summerhill School. 2010. A.S Neill. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/asneill.php. [Accessed 02 September 14].

Flanagan, F. (2006) The greatest educators ever! London: Continuum