To prepare a discussion of education, please read the materials below and come to class with answers to the 6 questions at the bottom of the post.
Summerhill School
Summerhill School is an independent British boarding school that was founded in 1921 by Alexander Sutherland Neill with the belief that the school should be made to fit the child, rather than the other way around. It is still run as a democratic community; the running of the school is conducted in the 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. 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 the freedom for pupils to choose which lessons, if any, they attend.
Summerhill is noted for its philosophy that children learn best with freedom from coercion. All lessons are optional, and pupils are free to choose what to do with their time. Neill founded Summerhill with the belief that "the function of a child is to live his own life — not the life that his anxious parents think he should live, not a life according to the purpose of an educator who thinks he knows best."
In addition to taking control of their own time, pupils can participate in the self-governing community of the school. School meetings are held three times a week, where pupils and staff alike have an equal voice in the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, discussing issues and creating or changing school laws. The rules agreed at these meetings are wide ranging - from agreeing on acceptable bed times to making nudity allowed at the poolside. Meetings are also an opportunity for the community to vote on a course of action for unresolved conflicts, such as a fine for a theft (usually the fine consists of having to pay back the amount stolen).
It is upon these major principles, democracy, equality and freedom that Summerhill School operates.
Where are we?
Summerhill School is in Leiston, Suffolk, in the United Kingdom.
Day school, Boarding school?
It is a boarding school, but we do have day pupils. Most are local but a few have moved here specifically to be near the school. It is common for parents of younger children to move here for the first few terms so that the child can start off as a ‘day student’.
Ages and a Complete Summerhill Education
Day pupils may come at five years. Some children are very happy to board about six or seven. Others need more time and come later. Many children begin at 9, 10 or 11 years of age. A complete Summerhill education usually ends at about 17 years of age.
How Big?
There are usually between 80 to 90 children and 12 full time staff. There are several part time staff and many other adults who help keep the school running smoothly. Summerhill is a small, caring community of children and adults.
The school is set on 11 acres of very beautiful woods and fields.
What particular qualities do you expect Summerhill pupils to acquire?
Some children who have come to the school with problems are still going to have to deal with many of them into their adult lives. Summerhill has a very good record of helping such children.
Qualities we typically see in Summerhill pupils are: Self-esteem, tolerance, integrity, fairness, understanding, sensitivity, compassion, assertiveness, creativity, individuality, humour and self-motivation.
Holidays?
Summerhill, with many international students, has generous holidays to allow all students to travel home for realistic periods of time: 5 weeks at Christmas, 5 weeks in the spring and 9 weeks each summer.
Pupil Interview:
This interview was conducted when he was leaving the school.
Jack (the name has been changed), a sixteen year old boy (UK)
1) How old were you when you left Summerhill?
Sixteen.
2) What age did you come to Summerhill?
Eight.
3) Did you take any exams at Summerhill? If so what they?
Yes, English, Maths and Science.
4) What are you planning to do next?
Continue studying at College.
5) What effect do you think non-compulsory lessons had on you?
It made me more open about learning because I did not have to, but wanted to,
6) Do you think that non-compulsory lessons were an advantage or a disadvantage?
I think they were advantageous because when you did go to lessons you paid attention.
7) What was the most valuable thing for you about going to Summerhill, and how do you think it will affect you?
Freedom.
8) How have you changed since coming to Summerhill?
I have become more independent and more self-motivated.
9) In your new environment there may be rules that you may not like, how will you deal with that?
First it will be difficult but I would get used to it - it is not that hard to change.
10) If you had your time at Summerhill again, would you do anything differently?
No.
The BBC reports:
The threat of closure hanging over the progressive Summerhill school has been lifted after the government agreed not to pursue its complaints about the school's controversial teaching methods, which include the right of pupils not to attend lessons.
The school's fight to remain open included witness statements from some of its more famous, successful ex-pupils such as the American film actress Rebecca De Mornay.
In her statement she said: "I feel it would be a true crime to even contemplate closing down this historic school and its radically alternative approach to education ... I believe Summerhill was an essential early tool in my academic development."
Questions:
1.Comment on the statement saying whether you agree:
"the function of a child is to live his own life — not the life that his anxious parents think he should live, not a life according to the purpose of an educator who thinks he knows best."
2. Do you think that giving children such autonomy prepares them for adult responsibilities in later life?
3. Do you think that having the opportunity to choose what you want to learn is positive?
4.Look at these words and expressions in the text, guessing their meaning in the context. Try to give other ways of communicating the same meaning:
‘the running of the school’
‘coercion’
‘day-to-day’ lives’
-‘wide ranging’
‘pay attention’
5. Describe the attitude of the boy who is interviewed?
6.Would you support the closure of this school, why/why not? Include in your answer whether you would you have liked to have gone to this school?
