Is Summerhill School Still Open?

Yes! Summerhill School celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021 and continues to operate true to its roots today in Leiston, Suffolk.

Nowadays many people consider it bad parenting to send children to boarding school – how does Summerhill justify this?

Ask the children! Summerhill pupils are not forced to be here – they choose to be. Old-Summerhill pupils all agree that being away from home was a really positive and important thing for them. Summerhill is nothing like a “boarding school” in the traditional sense. It is somewhere between tribe and family, a sociable, child-centred environment where the adults are friends and where you can play all day if you want to. It is an enrichment of family life, something extra that you can’t get at home – plus lots of brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and friends. Some people say they will miss their children’s childhood if they send them to Summerhill. My answer is that childhood is for the child, not for the parents. It can take courage to give your children the independence they need, especially if this means they will leave home. But Summerhill parents will agree that you don’t “lose” your child, you gain a special friendship with them that lasts a lifetime. And, of course, we have roughly four months holiday each year when parents and children can spend time together unfettered by the ‘school run’, home work or any of the other daily pressures faced by those at conventional schools.

How do pupils fit into the outside world after what is a sheltered school life?

We feel that Summerhill pupils are better prepared for the outside world than most other young people. Pupils at Summerhill are used to being in control of their own lives and making decisions for themselves – just as adults do in their daily lives. They decide what to do, when, and how to do it. One of the major failings in the wider education system is the lack of opportunities for children to learn about taking responsibility for their own actions, the consequences of their decision making, and how to put things right when they have made a wrong decision. Critics say there are many things in the outside world that have to be done, such as earning a living. They believe that our pupils will find it difficult to adapt, as there is no compulsion at Summerhill. Actually Summerhill pupils face similar situations in their everyday lives at the school all the time. There are many, many things that need to be done in order to keep the community running. If we, the members of the community do not do them, then they do not get done at all. Instead of being compelled to do things by somebody else, you have to take responsibility for yourself and the community around you. You have to be self-motivated. This is true of all of us in adult life. We have no big “teacher” standing by to tell us what to do. We have to get on and deal with things by ourselves. At Summerhill we feel that children in other schools are being disadvantaged by their narrow curriculum that does not look after their emotional growth or offer decision making processes to learn from, making it very difficult when they subsequently leave school and have to start living in the adult world. The popular belief that Summerhill is a wild, unstructured society is untrue. Because of the many laws at Summerhill that govern our lives the pupils are used to a strong framework. Living in a democratic society where grievances are aired in the school meetings gives the pupils a strong sense of justice as well as an ability to listen to, and understand, the other person’s point of view. Thus they are well prepared for interacting in the outside world. Although when they move to life outside they, like many others, may find some rules petty and unnecessary, they are tolerant and understanding enough to deal with it.

Why aren’t the pupils responsible for the cleaning and cooking at Summerhill?

Summerhill cannot afford to let hygiene slip so we have to keep the school up to standard by employing cleaning staff. This also cuts out any conflict over an issue that would be on-going and unproductive. Children have a great deal of interest in what time they go to bed at night, but little in keeping the corridors tidy! The older children with individual bedrooms are responsible for their own washing and cleaning, and the whole community has to take care of keeping the school grounds tidy. This usually involves a “litter pick-up” used as a fine for misdemeanours. There is a ‘Health & safety’ committee to ensure that standards of reasonable hygiene and safety are maintained, they visit all rooms (including staff who live in areas adjoining the children) a few times each term. Most children enjoy doing some cooking – but having to feed over 100 people every day for the whole year is a different kettle of fish! We also have to comply with Health & Hygiene rules, which make it impossible for the children to cook for the whole school. We employ a team of professional chefs to look after the catering. However, there are many opportunities for the children to get involved in cooking: cookery classes, kitchen helping, bar committee, school café etc.and areas to cook for themselves.

What subjects do you offer?

Among subjects offered are: Art Design technology Information technology English language and literature Geography History Languages - German, Hungarian, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish Maths Music technology, DJ work, studio sessions, various instruments and vocal coaching Psychology Science - Biology, Physics and Chemistry Woodwork and Metalwork There is an outdoor swimming pool, library with and a well equipped study room, games field, skateboard ramps, tennis court, theatre, and music studio and practice rooms. Also see: Learning at Summerhill

Is Summerhill suitable for all children - or do some need more structure?

In our experience all children respond well to personal freedom and self-government. Though whether a Summerhill education will work for them depends on many factors. They need to want to be part of the school community, which ultimately means to learn about making decisions, amusing themselves and not having adults to create interest and activities for them all the time. Coming from conventional schooling these can be difficult challenges. Eventually they need to be able to fit in with a group of all ages and characters and live as harmoniously as they can. Occasionally a child who is struggling with their own personal difficulties in life may find the freedom at Summerhill so captivating that they are unable to differentiate between freedom and license and aren't able to take responsibility for their actions. This can lead to problems in their relationships with other children and with the community as a whole. It can also mean that the development of other children is impaired due to the negative influence upon them. In such cases, sadly, the child will have to go elsewhere.

I cannot afford the school fees - are there any funds available to help?

Unfortunately the school has no financial help from the government and we rely entirely on our fees to run the school. There are several organisations where you can apply for funding. Get in touch with the office and we are happy to share the list of these organisations.

Do you have day pupils?

Yes, we have several. Some are families who have moved here specifically to be near the school. It is quite common for parents of younger children to move here for the first few terms so that the child can start off as a ‘day child’. Later on the children will naturally want to be more involved in the community and will progress to boarding, normally around the age of 10.

What is the school's attitude towards sex?

Under British law it is illegal for children to have sex under the age of 16. In line with many other establishments that deal with teenagers in a real-life setting, we are a supportive environment — providing our pupils with information and advice wherever possible. We are proud of the fact that our children are unafraid to approach us to discuss anything. Obviously, as a school, pupils are not allowed to have sex even if they are over the age of consent.

How can I obtain books by A.S. Neill?

Most of Neill’s books can be obtained from Abe Books On this website you can visit our shop to find the latest books.

Archives: FAQs

Is Summerhill School Still Open?
Yes! Summerhill School celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021 and continues to operate true to its roots today in Leiston, Suffolk.

Read More
Nowadays many people consider it bad parenting to send children to boarding school – how does Summerhill justify this?
Ask the children! Summerhill pupils are not forced to be here – they choose to be. Old-Summerhill pupils all agree that being away from home was a really positive and important thing for them. Summerhill is nothing like a “boarding school” in the traditional sense. It is somewhere between tribe and family, a sociable, child-centred

Read More
How do pupils fit into the outside world after what is a sheltered school life?
We feel that Summerhill pupils are better prepared for the outside world than most other young people. Pupils at Summerhill are used to being in control of their own lives and making decisions for themselves – just as adults do in their daily lives. They decide what to do, when, and how to do it.

Read More
Why aren’t the pupils responsible for the cleaning and cooking at Summerhill?
Summerhill cannot afford to let hygiene slip so we have to keep the school up to standard by employing cleaning staff. This also cuts out any conflict over an issue that would be on-going and unproductive. Children have a great deal of interest in what time they go to bed at night, but little in

Read More
What subjects do you offer?
Among subjects offered are: Art Design technology Information technology English language and literature Geography History Languages – German, Hungarian, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish Maths Music technology, DJ work, studio sessions, various instruments and vocal coaching Psychology Science – Biology, Physics and Chemistry Woodwork and Metalwork There is an outdoor swimming pool, library with and a

Read More
Is Summerhill suitable for all children – or do some need more structure?
In our experience all children respond well to personal freedom and self-government. Though whether a Summerhill education will work for them depends on many factors. They need to want to be part of the school community, which ultimately means to learn about making decisions, amusing themselves and not having adults to create interest and activities

Read More
I cannot afford the school fees – are there any funds available to help?
Unfortunately the school has no financial help from the government and we rely entirely on our fees to run the school. There are several organisations where you can apply for funding. Get in touch with the office and we are happy to share the list of these organisations.

Read More
Do you have day pupils?
Yes, we have several. Some are families who have moved here specifically to be near the school. It is quite common for parents of younger children to move here for the first few terms so that the child can start off as a ‘day child’. Later on the children will naturally want to be more

Read More
What is the school’s attitude towards sex?
Under British law it is illegal for children to have sex under the age of 16. In line with many other establishments that deal with teenagers in a real-life setting, we are a supportive environment — providing our pupils with information and advice wherever possible. We are proud of the fact that our children are

Read More
How can I obtain books by A.S. Neill?
Most of Neill’s books can be obtained from Abe Books On this website you can visit our shop to find the latest books.

Read More