Our Philosophy
Summerhill School is one of the most famous schools in the world. Discover more about the progressive educational philosophy that has influenced educational practice in many schools and universities around the world
The original alternative ‘free’ school
A.S. Neill, founder of Summerhill, set out to make a school that would fit the child rather than forcing pupils to do what parents and educators thought might be best for them.
Summerhill is as unlike a conventional school as it could possibly be. Founded one hundred years ago to provide a space where children can grow in a ‘free-range’ environment.
‘Summerhill is a real place, not a utopia. Living in a community of around one hundred people is not always easy. Everybody is learning about themselves, and on a bleak January day, with the east wind blowing things are sometimes not wonderful! But Summerhill in summer time is lush, green and not unlike never-never land. It is more of a family or a tribe than a school — full of companionship, laughter and real feelings. For many Summerhill pupils it becomes the most meaningful experience in their lives.’
Zoë Readhead, Principal of Summerhill
A.S.Neill Summerhill CIC is a newly formed, non-profit, community interest company established alongside Summerhill School itself and the upcoming A.S.Neill Archive and Research Centre. It has been set up to promote children’s rights, well-being, freedom, equality, individuality, free play, self-direction, democracy, community and to provide benefit to children, practitioners, parents and carers, higher education students, academics, researchers or other individuals, institutions and organisations seeking to promote these values locally, across the UK and worldwide.
