Summer 2017- 68 pupils Summer 2018- 85 pupils Summer 2022- 53 pupils Autumn 2022- 61 pupils

As classes are optional, homework works in a very different way to conventional schools. Pupils may have homework if the teachers feel it is needed and there is often course work to be done for exams. Teachers are very honest with pupils about their work, or lack of it. If they need to work harder

There are 5 full-time house parents and 10 full-time teachers. All full-time time staff live on the 12-acre school site, either in single rooms alongside the children or in out-buildings. When the houseparents take time off the teachers provide cover for them . We also have a team of “day” staff, including teachers, cleaners, chefs,

When children leave Summerhill most go on to study for appropriate qualifications (A-level, BTEC, GNVQ) at college or higher education. Some will go to university, some will not — it is a case of personal choice. Because of the unconventional schooling they have had, they tend to look at it with a balanced view, not

Like any school, there are incidents of bullying at Summerhill; but unlike other schools, staff or pupils, can bring-up a case against anybody else in the school meeting. Thus, we are all answerable to the whole community. Our ombudsmen and self-government meetings ensure that everybody in the school has a voice and can have conflicts

Occasionally, but not in the usual sense of being expelled for doing something ‘naughty’. In Summerhill someone will only be asked to leave if their general attitude shows that they are not really interested in being part of the community. Continuous law-breaking, bullying on a regular basis, real violence — these are all things that

Yes, we offer the standard English school leaving exams, GCSEs at ordinary level, though they are not compulsory. We do not provide for “A” levels at Summerhill. Pupils wishing to take them will have to go to college afterwards. Almost all Summerhill pupils take some exams before they leave, but some may choose a different

There is no involvement with parents at Summerhill other than as parents of children enrolled. As the philosophy of the school is to encourage children to live their own lives, make their own decisions and they value their independence and the vast majority prefer parents not to be part of the school. Most parents become

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

As far as the roots are concerned, there have been no changes. The fundamentals of the Summerhill system are so simple, a part of basic human needs and it’s values so true, that they could not be changed. Although many exterior things have altered, it is comforting to see how the atmosphere and general feel