Summerhill Free School Essay, Research Paper

It could be said the A.S. Neill began the reformation of liberal education when he

founded Summerhill Free School in 1921. The academic nature was opposite of a standard

school where students have a variety of classes that they are expected to attend. The voluntary

attendance, absence of order as well as adult authority are just a few things that characterize

Summerhill. Students are expected to gain more of an educational wealth by learning basic

concepts of self-esteem, tolerance, integrity, fairness, and understanding rather than math

equations and science functions. Because Summerhill is so popular and unique, it has received

enormous amounts of criticism. Consequently, the Free School has been a victim to numerous

attempts of closures.

According to Kristi Ruark from the website Summerhill School, Neill was just the fourth

of 13 children, grew up under the stern hand of his schoolmaster father who ran his classroom

with an iron rod (Ruark). Neil believed he could expand his pupils minds and horizons by

providing a comfortable learning atmosphere where students can learn what they are interested in

compared to fixed schedules and classes. At the age of twenty-five, Neill went to Edinburgh

University and took a degree in English. Afterwards he became a journalist, and later head of a

small school in Gretna Green. Here, he began to compose his first book, A Dominie’s Log, and

form his ideas on freedom for children. After a year in the school he wrote:

“I have converted a hard-working school into a playground, and I rejoice. These brains have had a year

of happiness and liberty. They have done what they liked; they have sung their songs while they were

working at graphs, they have eaten their sweets while they read their books, they have hung on my

arms as we rambled along in search of artistic corners (Neil p. 88) .”

By 1927, Neil had moved to a city in southern England where he, along with the help of his

second wife, Ena, ran Summerhill until Neil’s death in 1973 and Ena’s retirement in 1985.

Zoe Readhead, daughter of A.S. Neill, was left with no other choice but to continue running

Summerhill Free School.

In a recent interview with Zoe Readhead, Jerry Doe raised the question of advantages to optional class attendance. Readhead then explained how it doesn’t destroy your love for learning and how the things you do, you do because you want to do them. She then goes on to state “you can’t have a friendly relationship with somebody and then force them to go to a class they don’t want to go to (Martin).” Further along in the interview Readhead discusses the conflicts between Summerhill and the Educational Department that could result in a termination.

Due to the release of the self-titled book about Free School Movement in the 60’s, Summerhill was emerging. Even though, the school was receiving tremendous criticism about the lack of management in the classroom and skills that the young students obtain. The clause “Letting them (the students) do what they want will eventually result in effective learning” was not widely accepted. The HMI inspectors said it was totally unacceptable for children at the age of nine not to be able to read or write. Readhead’s response to this was “If they don’t want to go to class and they don’t want to learn to read or write, then that’s fine with us (Martin).” According to John Gummer, MP, “People should have the right to decide on the education that they like for their children” (Summerhill). However, like her father, Zoe Readhead believes the Summerhill staff can educate a well-rounded student based on creative works rather than rigid discipline and formal pedagogy.

The emphasis is still the same today as when Summerhill was established. The schools operate with few constraints on students or teachers, so students are free to plan and execute their own learning experiences, thus developing self discipline and responsibility. In turn, parents seem guided by Neill’s philosophy and a concern that public schools were not meeting their children’s needs. Like many alternative or free schools, Summerhill is small with a total enrollment of fewer than sixty along with a limited number of teachers.

Summerhill and freedom are two word that fit harmoniously in a sentence. The phrase

“freedom but not license” was coined by Neill. This basically meant that you are free to do as

you wish just as long as you don’t interfere with someone else’s freedom. This independence

allows the students to be self-motivated so learning is natural and enjoyable. They mature and

become socially responsible without being taught moral values. Also, the freedom creates self

respect for the children. They will know what they think is important so others will listen in

addition to a tight wavelength bond between the two.

Summerhill has now been running successfully for over seventy-five years. The school is

first and foremost a place where children can learn at their own pace and maintain self-direction.

It’s gave children a happy learning environment, time to develop naturally, but most importantly,

power over their own lives. Knowing this, parents should consider free schools as a gateway to

a prosperous and productive life.