A memory of being a child
25th October 2006
'Nobody connected with children can claim to know the true nature of childhood. If they have not heard about A.S. Neill’s Summerhill School.
You may love the idea, or hate it.But if you have your own children, have taught children, or have ever been a child, one thing is for sure, you will never view childhood or education in the same way again . . .'
--Zoë Neill Readhead (Headmistress)
There are two features of the school which people usually single out as being particularly unusual. The first is that all lessons are optional. Teachers and classes are available at timetabled times, but the children can decide whether to attend or not. The second particularly unusual feature of the school is the school Meeting, at which the school Laws are made or changed. These laws are the rules of the school, made by majority vote in the community meetings; pupils and staff alike having equal votes.
After a long time planning this trip, I visited the school this half term. See more photos in the gallery.
You may love the idea, or hate it.But if you have your own children, have taught children, or have ever been a child, one thing is for sure, you will never view childhood or education in the same way again . . .'
--Zoë Neill Readhead (Headmistress)
There are two features of the school which people usually single out as being particularly unusual. The first is that all lessons are optional. Teachers and classes are available at timetabled times, but the children can decide whether to attend or not. The second particularly unusual feature of the school is the school Meeting, at which the school Laws are made or changed. These laws are the rules of the school, made by majority vote in the community meetings; pupils and staff alike having equal votes.
After a long time planning this trip, I visited the school this half term. See more photos in the gallery.
