Summerhill schools

Summerhill schools

Summerhill school was founded in 1921 by Alexander Sutherland Neill who lived from 1883-1973, he had one aim and that was “to make the school fit the child” [1]. He felt that there was a need for a new type of school as Alexander mainly wanted freedom in school for the pupils. He also believed that adults ignored the importance of childhood, and did not understand the concept that what happens in your childhood may be the cause of your personality or attitude in their later adult life [2].

Nowadays, many parents are getting fed up with the traditional type of schools and can see the faults that lie within it, that’s where Summerhill comes in [3].The main aim of Summerhill school is for the children to have freedom and choice, the school strongly emphasises the fact that if the children do not want to learn, they don’t have to, it’s entirely up to them [4]. This type of school is not characterized by academic achievement, they allow children play when they want, and learn when they want [5]. As it was stated that “forcing a child to learn, is on par with forcing a man to adopt a religion by act of parliament” [6]. With regards to teachers, a certain type of teacher is needed. This certain type of teacher would need to possess the same attitudes of the school, they also wouldn’t be allowed to be an authoritarian, they would need to be more of a helper and there to encourage the children not boss them around [7].

The curriculum is suitable for all children up to and including GCSE level [8]. As well as the normal classroom environments, there are rooms in which there’s art work, woodwork, computers, and other things to create. The difference is with this is that there is no teacher present in the room, the children create things to do for themselves [9]. This different type of education encourages the children’s imagination, and the ability to think for themselves or even work in small groups.

The school is contained in 12 acres of land, and with this massive space the children cycle, build huts, climb trees, camp and play other games. There is also a swimming pool, tennis court, playing field and a basketball area.  I really like this because when you think of other schools there is not as many outdoor activities like Summerhill has! It sounds really exciting and a fun environment for the children [10].

I really like this type of education because personally I feel that it sounds like a fun education, with no fear and a stress-free environment. I believe that children would learn more effectively in an environment which is natural and quite fun. However, on the downside, I feel that if the children have the freedom and choice, that they may not choose to be taught. So therefore, if they are just playing they aren’t learning as much as children in normal state schools. Out of all the schools and types of education I have looked at, this is my favourite because of the freedom and choice that the children have. They are looked at as people not children, and there is equal rights for everyone!

 [1] Lewis, C. 2013

[2] Lewis, C. 2013
[3]http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/index.html?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferc723a&utm_medium=twitter
[4] Lewis, C. 2013
[5] http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/
[6] Lewis, C. 2013
[7] Lewis, C. 2013
[8]http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/index.html?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferc723a&utm_medium=twitter
[9]http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/index.html?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferc723a&utm_medium=twitter


[10]http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/pages/index.html?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferc723a&utm_medium=twitter