What is Summerhill School?
Q: What is Summerhill School?
A: Summerhill School is an independent British boarding school which was founded in 1921 by A.S. Neill (Alexander Sutherland Neill). It is the oldest "children's democracy" in the world and is probably the most famous alternative or 'free' school.
Q: What did A.S. Neill believe?
A: A.S. Neill believed that the school should fit the child, not than the other way around.
Q: How does Summerhill make decisions?
A: Decisions at Summerhill are made in school meetings, which anyone, staff or pupil, may attend, and at which everyone has an equal vote. These meetings serve as both a legislative and judicial body.
Q: What principle does Summerhill follow?
A: The principle followed by Summerhill is "Freedom, not Licence", meaning that members of the community are free to do as they please so long as their actions do not cause any harm to others. This extends to pupils being able to choose which lessons, if any, they attend.
Q: How many students attend Summerhill?
A: The school varies between 60-80 boys and girls with ages ranging from 5 to 17 years old.
Q: Who owns Summerhill now?
A: The school is now owned by Zoë Readhead who is the daughter of A.S Neill who founded it originally in 1921 .
