Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "A. S. Neill" - New World

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'''Alexander Sutherland Neill''' (October 17, 1883 - September 23, 1973) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Progressive education|progressive educator]], author and founder of [[Summerhill School|Summerhill school]].  He is best known as an advocate of personal freedom for children, and has been correspondingly criticized as an instigator of [[Benjamin Spock#Claims that Dr. Spock advocated permissiveness|permissiveness]].
 
'''Alexander Sutherland Neill''' (October 17, 1883 - September 23, 1973) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Progressive education|progressive educator]], author and founder of [[Summerhill School|Summerhill school]].  He is best known as an advocate of personal freedom for children, and has been correspondingly criticized as an instigator of [[Benjamin Spock#Claims that Dr. Spock advocated permissiveness|permissiveness]].
  
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==Personal background==
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==Neill's Life==
 
Neill was born in [[Forfar]], the son of a schoolteacher.  After acting as a pupil-teacher for his father, he studied at the [[University of Edinburgh]] and obtained an M.A. degree in 1912. In 1914 he became headmaster of the [[Gretna Green]] School in Scotland. During this period, his growing discontent could be traced in notes which he later published. In these notes, he described himself as "just enough of a Nietzschian to protest against teaching children to be meek and lowly" and wrote (in ''A Dominie's Log'') that he was "trying to form minds that will question and destroy and rebuild".
 
Neill was born in [[Forfar]], the son of a schoolteacher.  After acting as a pupil-teacher for his father, he studied at the [[University of Edinburgh]] and obtained an M.A. degree in 1912. In 1914 he became headmaster of the [[Gretna Green]] School in Scotland. During this period, his growing discontent could be traced in notes which he later published. In these notes, he described himself as "just enough of a Nietzschian to protest against teaching children to be meek and lowly" and wrote (in ''A Dominie's Log'') that he was "trying to form minds that will question and destroy and rebuild".
  
−
==Educational philosophy==
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A. S. Neill was married twice; his second wife Ena Wood Neill administered Summerhill school with him for many decades until their daughter, Zoe Readhead, took over the school as headmistress.
 +
 
 +
==Neill's Ideas Concerning Education==
 +
===Influences on Neill's thought===
 +
Neill's biggest mentor in education was the British educator [[Homer Lane]].  Neill was also an admirer and close friend of psychoanalytical innovator [[Wilhelm Reich]] and a student of [[Freudian]] [[psychoanalysis]].
 +
 
 +
Another major contributor to the field of [[Libertarian Education]] was [[Bertrand Russell]] whose own self-founded [[Beacon Hill School (England)]] (one of several schools bearing this name) is often compared with Summerhill. Russell was a correspondent of Neill and offered his support.
 +
 
 +
===Educational philosophy===
 
Neill believed that the happiness of the child was of paramount consideration in the child's upbringing and that this happiness grew from a sense of personal freedom in the child. He felt that deprivation of this sense of freedom during childhood and all the consequent unhappiness experienced by the repressed child was responsible for most of the psychological disorders of adulthood. This idea was controversial at the time. Today, while not nearly universally accepted, the concept does have other advocates, such as some in the unschooling movement.
 
Neill believed that the happiness of the child was of paramount consideration in the child's upbringing and that this happiness grew from a sense of personal freedom in the child. He felt that deprivation of this sense of freedom during childhood and all the consequent unhappiness experienced by the repressed child was responsible for most of the psychological disorders of adulthood. This idea was controversial at the time. Today, while not nearly universally accepted, the concept does have other advocates, such as some in the unschooling movement.
  
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A [[Sigmund Freud|Freudian]], Neill was strongly opposed to [[sexual repression]] and the imposition of the strict [[Victorian values]] of his childhood era.  He said that to be anti-sex was to be anti-life.
 
A [[Sigmund Freud|Freudian]], Neill was strongly opposed to [[sexual repression]] and the imposition of the strict [[Victorian values]] of his childhood era.  He said that to be anti-sex was to be anti-life.
  
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==Life at Summerhill==
+
==Neill's Teaching Career==
 
As headmaster of Summerhill, Neill taught classes in Algebra, Geometry and Metalworking.  He often said that he admired those who were skilled craftsmen more than those whose skills were purely intellectual.  (Neill held that although attendance was optional, the classes themselves were rigorous.) He also had special "private lessons" with pupils, which included discussions of personal issues and amounted to a form of [[psychotherapy]]. He later abandoned these "PLs", finding that children who did not have PLs were still cured of delinquent behaviour; he therefore concluded that freedom was the cure, not psychotherapy.
 
As headmaster of Summerhill, Neill taught classes in Algebra, Geometry and Metalworking.  He often said that he admired those who were skilled craftsmen more than those whose skills were purely intellectual.  (Neill held that although attendance was optional, the classes themselves were rigorous.) He also had special "private lessons" with pupils, which included discussions of personal issues and amounted to a form of [[psychotherapy]]. He later abandoned these "PLs", finding that children who did not have PLs were still cured of delinquent behaviour; he therefore concluded that freedom was the cure, not psychotherapy.
  
 
During his teaching career he wrote dozens of books, including the "Dominie" (Scottish word for teacher) series, beginning with ''A Dominie's Log'' (1916).  His most influential book was ''Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Learning'' (1960) which created a storm in U.S. educational circles.  His last work was his autobiography, ''Neill, Neill, Orange Peel!'' (1973) He also wrote humorous books for children, like ''The Last Man Alive'' (1939).
 
During his teaching career he wrote dozens of books, including the "Dominie" (Scottish word for teacher) series, beginning with ''A Dominie's Log'' (1916).  His most influential book was ''Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Learning'' (1960) which created a storm in U.S. educational circles.  His last work was his autobiography, ''Neill, Neill, Orange Peel!'' (1973) He also wrote humorous books for children, like ''The Last Man Alive'' (1939).
  
−
A. S. Neill was married twice; his second wife Ena Wood Neill administered Summerhill school with him for many decades until their daughter, Zoe Readhead, took over the school as headmistress.
+
===Summerhill School===
−
 
 
−
==Influences on Neill's thought==
 
−
Neill's biggest mentor in education was the British educator [[Homer Lane]].  Neill was also an admirer and close friend of psychoanalytical innovator [[Wilhelm Reich]] and a student of [[Freudian]] [[psychoanalysis]].
 
−
 
 
−
Another major contributor to the field of [[Libertarian Education]] was [[Bertrand Russell]] whose own self-founded [[Beacon Hill School (England)]] (one of several schools bearing this name) is often compared with Summerhill. Russell was a correspondent of Neill and offered his support.
 
−
 
 
−
==Criticisms of Neill==
 
−
Many accused Neill of naivety and unrealistic idealism, or moral indifference. Neill was also roundly criticized for bringing notions of Freudian repression into an educational setting. Max Rafferty, California Director of Education, wrote that he "would sooner send my children to a brothel" than send them to Summerhill.
 
−
 
 
−
==Neill's educational legacy==
 
−
Neill's notions of freedom and education, considered controversial in their time, influenced many of the progressive educators who came after him, notably [[John Caldwell Holt|John Holt]], who spearheaded the [[Unschooling]] movement.
 
−
 
 
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==Summerhill==
 
 
[[Image:SummerhillSchool.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Summerhill School]]
 
[[Image:SummerhillSchool.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Summerhill School]]
  
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Summerhill has had a less than perfect relationship with the British government, and is still the most inspected school in the country. During the 1990s, it was inspected nine times. In March of 1999, following a major inspection from [[OFSTED]] (The "OFfice for STandards in EDucation"), the then [[Secretary of State for Education and Employment]], [[David Blunkett]], issued the school with a notice of complaint, which took issue with the school's policy of non-compulsory lessons. Failure to comply with such a notice within six months usually leads to closure; however, Summerhill chose to contest the notice in court. The case went before a special educational tribunal in March 2000, when four days into the hearing, the government's case collapsed, and a settlement was agreed. The pupils who were attending the hearing that day took over the courtroom and held a school meeting to debate whether to accept the settlement, eventually voting unanimously to do so.
 
Summerhill has had a less than perfect relationship with the British government, and is still the most inspected school in the country. During the 1990s, it was inspected nine times. In March of 1999, following a major inspection from [[OFSTED]] (The "OFfice for STandards in EDucation"), the then [[Secretary of State for Education and Employment]], [[David Blunkett]], issued the school with a notice of complaint, which took issue with the school's policy of non-compulsory lessons. Failure to comply with such a notice within six months usually leads to closure; however, Summerhill chose to contest the notice in court. The case went before a special educational tribunal in March 2000, when four days into the hearing, the government's case collapsed, and a settlement was agreed. The pupils who were attending the hearing that day took over the courtroom and held a school meeting to debate whether to accept the settlement, eventually voting unanimously to do so.
 +
 +
==Criticisms of Neill==
 +
Many accused Neill of naivety and unrealistic idealism, or moral indifference. Neill was also roundly criticized for bringing notions of Freudian repression into an educational setting. Max Rafferty, California Director of Education, wrote that he "would sooner send my children to a brothel" than send them to Summerhill.
 +
 +
==Neill's educational legacy==
 +
Neill's notions of freedom and education, considered controversial in their time, influenced many of the progressive educators who came after him, notably [[John Caldwell Holt|John Holt]], who spearheaded the [[Unschooling]] movement.
 +
  
  

Revision as of 21:39, 14 February 2007


Alexander Sutherland Neill (October 17, 1883 - September 23, 1973) was a Scottish progressive educator, author and founder of Summerhill school. He is best known as an advocate of personal freedom for children, and has been correspondingly criticized as an instigator of permissiveness.

Neill's Life

Neill was born in Forfar, the son of a schoolteacher. After acting as a pupil-teacher for his father, he studied at the University of Edinburgh and obtained an M.A. degree in 1912. In 1914 he became headmaster of the Gretna Green School in Scotland. During this period, his growing discontent could be traced in notes which he later published. In these notes, he described himself as "just enough of a Nietzschian to protest against teaching children to be meek and lowly" and wrote (in A Dominie's Log) that he was "trying to form minds that will question and destroy and rebuild".

A. S. Neill was married twice; his second wife Ena Wood Neill administered Summerhill school with him for many decades until their daughter, Zoe Readhead, took over the school as headmistress.

Neill's Ideas Concerning Education

Influences on Neill's thought

Neill's biggest mentor in education was the British educator Homer Lane. Neill was also an admirer and close friend of psychoanalytical innovator Wilhelm Reich and a student of Freudian psychoanalysis.

Another major contributor to the field of Libertarian Education was Bertrand Russell whose own self-founded Beacon Hill School (England) (one of several schools bearing this name) is often compared with Summerhill. Russell was a correspondent of Neill and offered his support.

Educational philosophy

Neill believed that the happiness of the child was of paramount consideration in the child's upbringing and that this happiness grew from a sense of personal freedom in the child. He felt that deprivation of this sense of freedom during childhood and all the consequent unhappiness experienced by the repressed child was responsible for most of the psychological disorders of adulthood. This idea was controversial at the time. Today, while not nearly universally accepted, the concept does have other advocates, such as some in the unschooling movement.

Neill founded Summerhill school on the basis that children should not be compelled to attend lessons. In addition to this novel attendance policy, the school is democratic. Meetings are held to determine school rules and pupils have equal voting rights with school staff.

Neill felt that the Summerhill School showed that, free from the coercion of traditional school, students responded with their own motivation rather than self-indulgence. He felt that children who attended Summerhill were likely to emerge with a healthy and mature skepticism towards adult society.

These tendencies were perhaps all the more remarkable considering that the children accepted by Summerhill were often from problematic backgrounds, where parental conflict or neglect had resulted in children arriving in a particularly unhappy state of mind.

A Freudian, Neill was strongly opposed to sexual repression and the imposition of the strict Victorian values of his childhood era. He said that to be anti-sex was to be anti-life.

Neill's Teaching Career

As headmaster of Summerhill, Neill taught classes in Algebra, Geometry and Metalworking. He often said that he admired those who were skilled craftsmen more than those whose skills were purely intellectual. (Neill held that although attendance was optional, the classes themselves were rigorous.) He also had special "private lessons" with pupils, which included discussions of personal issues and amounted to a form of psychotherapy. He later abandoned these "PLs", finding that children who did not have PLs were still cured of delinquent behaviour; he therefore concluded that freedom was the cure, not psychotherapy.

During his teaching career he wrote dozens of books, including the "Dominie" (Scottish word for teacher) series, beginning with A Dominie's Log (1916). His most influential book was Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Learning (1960) which created a storm in U.S. educational circles. His last work was his autobiography, Neill, Neill, Orange Peel! (1973) He also wrote humorous books for children, like The Last Man Alive (1939).

Summerhill School

Summerhill School

Summerhill School was founded in 1921 in Hellerau near Dresden, Germany by A.S. Neill. Today it is a boarding and day school currently located in Leiston, Suffolk, England, serving primary and secondary education in a democratic fashion. It is now run by Neill's daughter, Zoe Readhead.

Summerhill is noted for its influential and groundbreaking philosophy[citation needed] that children learn best with freedom from coercion. All lessons are optional, and pupils are free to choose what to do with their time. Neill founded Summerhill with the belief that "the function of a child is to live his own life — not the life that his anxious parents think he should live, not a life according to the purpose of an educator who thinks he knows best."

In addition to taking control of their own time, pupils can participate in the self-governing community of the school. School meetings are held four times a week, where pupils and staff alike have an equal voice in the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, discussing issues and creating or changing school laws. Meetings are also an opportunity for the community to vote on a course of action for unresolved conflicts, such as a punishment for bullying.

It is upon these major principles, namely, democracy, and equality, that Summerhill School operates.

Summerhill has had a less than perfect relationship with the British government, and is still the most inspected school in the country. During the 1990s, it was inspected nine times. In March of 1999, following a major inspection from OFSTED (The "OFfice for STandards in EDucation"), the then Secretary of State for Education and Employment, David Blunkett, issued the school with a notice of complaint, which took issue with the school's policy of non-compulsory lessons. Failure to comply with such a notice within six months usually leads to closure; however, Summerhill chose to contest the notice in court. The case went before a special educational tribunal in March 2000, when four days into the hearing, the government's case collapsed, and a settlement was agreed. The pupils who were attending the hearing that day took over the courtroom and held a school meeting to debate whether to accept the settlement, eventually voting unanimously to do so.

Criticisms of Neill

Many accused Neill of naivety and unrealistic idealism, or moral indifference. Neill was also roundly criticized for bringing notions of Freudian repression into an educational setting. Max Rafferty, California Director of Education, wrote that he "would sooner send my children to a brothel" than send them to Summerhill.

Neill's educational legacy

Neill's notions of freedom and education, considered controversial in their time, influenced many of the progressive educators who came after him, notably John Holt, who spearheaded the Unschooling movement.


Publications

  • A Dominie’s Log (1915)
  • A Dominie Dismissed (1916)
  • Booming of Bunkie (1919)
  • Carroty Broon (1920)
  • A Dominie in Doubt (1920)
  • A Dominie Abroad (1922)
  • A Dominie’s Five (1924)
  • The Problem Child (1926)
  • The Problem Parent (1932)
  • Is Scotland Educated? (1936)
  • That Dreadful School (1937)
  • The Problem Teacher (1939)
  • The Last Man Alive (1939)
  • Hearts Not Heads in the School (1945)
  • The Problem Family (1949)
  • The Free Child (1953)
  • Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing. (Preface by Erich Fromm) (1960)
  • Freedom, Not License! (1966)
  • Talking of Summerhill (1967)
  • Children's Rights: Toward the Liberation of the Child (with Leila Berg, Paul Adams, Nan Berger, Michael Duane, and Robert Ollendorff) (1971)
  • "Neill, Neill, Orange Peel!" (1972)


Books about Summerhill

  • Summerhill School: A Free Range Childhood, by Matthew Appleton ISBN 1-870258-46-0 (UK) ISBN 1-885580-02-9 (US) A recent first-hand account of life as a member of staff at Summerhill.
  • Summerhill, by A.S. Neill ISBN 0-14-020940-9 A book about the school and its philosophy, by the school's founder
  • Summerhill: For And Against, by various authors ISBN 020712633X A collection of essays, arguing both in favour and against the schools approach.
  • Neill of Summerhill: The Permanent Rebel, by Jonathan Croall. ISBN 0-7100-9300-4 (UK) is mainly a biography of Neill but of course has plenty of material about the school and Neill's ideas.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Sims, Hylda Inspecting the island. A novel by an ex-Summerhill pupil (who was at the school during the A.S. Neill era) which gives an alternate perspective to the 'Lord of the Flies' attitude to childhood freedom
  • Croall, Jonathon. Neill of Summerhill: The Permanent Rebel. (London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1983) ISBN 0-7100-9300-4
  • Croall, Jonathon.(ed) All the Best, Neill: Letters from Summerhill. (London: André Deutsch, 1983) A collection of letters by Neill to people like H.G. Wells, Bertrand Russell, Henry Miller, Wilhelm Reich, Paul Goodman, Homer Lane, and many others.
  • Walmsley, John. Neill & Summerhill: A pictorial study. (Baltimore, Penguin, 1969) ISBN 0-14-080134-0

External links


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