The Very Basics

Where are we?
Summerhill School is in Leiston, Suffolk, in the United Kingdom. That’s in the countryside of East Anglia, 10 minutes from the North Sea. Two hours from London.

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. Leaving early is not advised. This is not a school for a ‘temporary’ break from the mainstream. A Summerhill education offers each child a sequence of important social, emotional and intellectual experiences that should not be missed !
Summerhill does not enroll children over 11 years of age.

An International School
Summerhill is an international school with children from England, Germany, Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Israel, America, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, France etc. This makes for a wonderful multi-cultural environment.

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.

Why do parents send their children to Summerhill?
Most parents believe in the philosophy of the school, but some parents are looking for an alternative option for their children after dissatisfaction with mainstream education. Generally, the mix of children at Summerhill is the same as at any other school. Summerhill is not a school for problem children. Having said that, Summerhill’s ability to allow children to experience natural emotional, social and intellectual growth often has an extraordinary effect on self-esteem and positive personal development.

What particular qualities do you expect Summerhill pupils to acquire?
Obviously this depends to some degree upon the personal circumstances of the child before and during their stay at the school. 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, but it is no magic "fix" or utopian cure-all.

Qualities we typically see in Summerhill pupils are: Self-esteem, tolerance, integrity, fairness, understanding, sensitivity, compassion, assertiveness, creativity, individuality, humour, self-motivation, and common sense.

How much are parents involved in the school?
There is no regular parent involvement at Summerhill. They are able to visit during term time on a limited basis and there is a newsletter sent to parents each holiday.

In spite of this, many parents become good friends and participate from a distance with their approval and with anything helpful they can offer. We also have a really nice summer half-term weekend when parents are invited to come and stay for a few days and relax – but the philosophy of the school is to encourage children to live their own lives, and make their own decisions. The children value their independence and the vast majority prefer parents not to be a part of it.

When Can Children Begin at Summerhill?
Once accepted, children can begin at the beginning of any new term. ( September , January, April )

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.