Summerhill School

Summerhill School was founded in 1921 by A. S Neill, it is situated within the town of Leiston, in Suffolk. Summerhull is a democratic, self-governing school where adults and children have an equal status and first names are always used. It is a personal choice school where students ages 5 – 18 can decide each day how they will use their time forming their own motivation and desire to learning.
The school was set out to in which to allow children freedom to be themselves with the main idea: “to make the school fit the child”

Neill believed that children were innately wise and realistic and if left to themselves without any adult suggestion, they will develop as far as they are capable of.

“Summerhill began as an experimental school. It is no longer such; it is now a demonstration school, for it demonstrates that freedom works” – (A.S Neill, Summerhill  1970.)

All lessons are optional children can go to them as they please – or not step foot in the class for years if they wish. There is a set timetable, but only for the teachers (Summerhill and A. S Neill, 2006.)  Each sign-up student is given a blank timetable at the beginning of term where they write their own lessons on. The timetable is changed from term to term depending on the choices and subjects offered to the children. The timetable allows students to make informed choices within the structured day. The children know what is available therefore can decide how to use their time (Summerhill School a, 2014.)

Manual skills and creativity are considered just as important as English and Mathematics within the curriculum and resources are made available at all times. Pupils can take exams early if they wish and most pupils take some GCSEs before they leave, which are optional and pupils don’t have to take any if they wish (Summerhill School b, 2014.)

The average day at summerhill consists of:

·         Breakfast: 8-8:45am

·         Classes begin at 9:00am

·         Mid-morning 20 minute tea break

·         Lunch is served from 12-1:15pm

·         Lesson finish between 3-5:00pm depending on the pupils day (Summerhill School c, 2014.)

After a bad report from OfSTED inspection in March 1999 in which it demanded changes to the Summerhill philosophy. There were concerns about the provision of instruction and training, however childrens GCSE results were better than average and the rates of improvements were rapid despite the majority having English as a second language (Brown, 2002, p.64.)
 In March 2000 the school won a historic legal battle against the DfEE. Due to this Summerhill is now the most legally protected school in the country and is the only school that has a direct input into its inspections through legally appointed experts.
In 2002 the school received its first inspection or registration visit not a reported visit since the case., which went smoothly (Summerhill School d, 2014.)

Reference:

Brown, K. (2002) The Right to Learn. Taylor & Francis.

Neill, A. S. (1970). Summerhill – A Radical Approach to Education (Pelican). Penguin Books Ltd.

Summerhill School a, (2014). About. Available: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/about.php. Last accessed 10/12/1

Summerhill school b, (2014). Summerhill – an overview. Available: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/an-overview.php. Last accessed 10/12/14.

Summerhill School c, (2014). A typical Summerhill day. Available: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/typical-summerhill-day.php. Last accessed 10/12/4.

Summerhill School d, (2014). Summerhill's fit with the UK Government. Available: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/summerhills-fight.php. Last accessed 10/12/14.