The Academic Nature and Standards of School

It could be said the A. S. Neill began the reformation of liberal education when he founded Summerhill eject School in 1921. The academic spirit was opposite of a standard school where students have a variety of classes that they are expected to attend. The wilful attendance, absence of order as well as adult authority are mediocre a few things that characterize Summerhill. Students are expected to gain more of an educational wealth by nurture basic concepts of self-esteem, tolerance, integrity, fairness, and at a lower placestanding rather than math quations and science functions.Because Summerhill is so popular and unique, it has received enormous amounts of review article. Consequently, the Free School has been a victim to numerous According to Kristi Ruark from the website Summerhill School, Neill was just the fourth of 13 children, grew up under the stern hand of his schoolmaster father who ran his classroom with an iron rod (Ruark). Neil believed he could expand his pupi ls minds and horizons by providing a comfortable learn atmosphere where students can learn what they are interested in ompared to stubborn schedules and classes.At the age of twenty-five, Neill went to Edinburgh University and took a degree in English. Afterwards he became a journalist, and later head up of a dwarfish school in Gretna Green. Here, he began to compose his first book, A Dominies Log, and form his ideas on exemption for children. After a year in the school he wrote I have converted a hard-working school into a playground, and I rejoice. These brains have had a year of happiness and liberty.They have through what they kindredd they have sung their songs while they were orking at graphs, they have eaten their sweets while they read their books, they have hung on my arms as we rambled on in search of artistic corners (Neil p. 88) . By 1927, Neil had moved to a metropolis in southern England where he, along with the help of his second wife, Ena, ran Summerhill until Neils death in 1973 and Enas retirement in 1985. Zoe Readhead, fille of A. S. Neill, was left with no other choice only if to continue running In a upstart interview with Zoe Readhead, Jerry Doe raised the question of advantages to optional class attendance.Readhead then explained how it doesnt destroy your love for teaching and how the things you do, you do because you neediness to do them. She then goes on to state you cant have a friendly alliance with somebody and then force them to go to a class they dont want to go to (Martin). Further along in the interview Readhead discusses the conflicts between Summerhill and the Educational Department that could result in a termination. Due to the publish of the self-titled book about Free School Movement in the 60s, Summerhill was emerging.Even though, the school was receiving tremendous criticism about the lack of management in the classroom and skills that the young students obtain. The clause Letting them (the students) do wha t they want ordain eventually result in effective learning was not widely accepted. The HMI inspectors said it was all told unacceptable for children at the age of nine not to be able to read or write. Readheads response to this was If they dont want to go to class and they dont want to learn to read or write, then thats fine with us (Martin).According to John Gummer, MP, People should have the right to decide on the education that they like for their children (Summerhill). However, like her father, Zoe Readhead believes the Summerhill staff can educate a well-rounded student based on creative works rather than rigid discipline and formal pedagogy. The emphasis is still the same today as when Summerhill was established. The schools prosecute with few constraints on students or teachers, so students are free to plan and execute their own learning experiences, thus developing self discipline and responsibility.In turn, parents seem guided by Neills philosophy and a concern that p ublic schools were not meeting their childrens needs. Like many alternative or free schools, Summerhill is small with a total enrollment of fewer than sixty along with a limited number of teachers. Summerhill and freedom are two word that fit harmoniously in a sentence. The phrase freedom but not license was coined by Neill. This basically meant that you are free to do as you wish just as long as you dont interfere with someone elses freedom. This independence allows the students to be self-motivated so learning is subjective and enjoyable.They mature and become socially responsible without being taught moral values. Also, the freedom creates self respect for the children. They will know what they think is important so others will listen in addition to a taut wavelength bond between the two. Summerhill has now been running successfully for over seventy-five years. The school is first and inaugural a place where children can learn at their own pace and maintain self-direction. Its gave children a joyful learning environment, time to develop naturally, but most importantly, power over their own lives.