Movie review – "Imagine a School-Summerhill" – Innovative boarding school faces government shutdown

“Imagine a School – Summerhill” is a documentary about a famous coeducational alternative boarding school that faced closure by Tony Blair’s Labor government. Directed by William Tyler Smith, this extraordinary story is about how big government and its cookie cutter mentality try to stop a remarkably successful program. Founded by educator AS Neill, Summerhill is the world’s oldest and most influential free democratic school. It was established in 1927 in the town of Leiston on the north coast of England.

The film begins by presenting AS Neill’s educational principles and philosophies, which may seem irresponsible to many at first. However, as the film unfolds, skepticism turns to curiosity and finally admiration. AS Neill’s methods don’t just work, they work better than the standardized British curriculum. Summerhill’s test scores are often well above the national average.

Summerhill students, teachers and alumni explain this unconventional learning process using short conversation snippets. There are numerous facets and I will try to clarify it as best as I can. As I see it, Summerhill is a democracy where students and teachers determine the rules of conduct; and the punishment for breaking them. Therefore, there is a code of conduct, which is reached by consensus rather than imposed by school administrators. At Summerhill, each child is free to make her own decisions: attend classes, play at school, or read a book all day, as long as her actions don’t interfere with anyone else’s life. The school also creates an environment where the human capacity for learning and cooperation hidden within each person is explored and nurtured to the fullest. Unleash the child’s natural instinct to learn.

This explanation is arrived at through interviews with students and committed teachers. Celebrities such as former students Jake Weber and Rebecca DeMornay add to this testimony. This image of unbridled flow of ideas is also reinforced by images of class discussions and students exploring issues with each other. For one-size-fits-all educators, this method would create anarchy and chaos. For these educators, structure, discipline, and standardized methods are the accepted mantra. Summerhill, on the other hand, feels that each child is unique and, given freedom, he will find the right learning paths. The school notes that once a child decides to learn, they will typically learn five years of material in two.

However, the film is more than a testament to his educational method. It is the struggle to maintain its own existence. When Tony Blair’s Labor government attempts to shut them down as part of its promise to improve education standards, the fight begins to save this prestigious institution. The lack of supervision, non-compulsory attendance and the lack of a standardized curriculum are the main complaints. However, the government underestimates the intuitive and persuasive powers of students and teachers. Using effective arguments, formidable attorneys take the case to court where discrepancies in the prosecution are openly exposed. In court, testimony from the principal, other adults, and, most effectively, the students add sanity to the lawsuit.

Since cameras are not allowed in the courtroom, student notes, crude drawings, and voice-over reminiscences cleverly provide a tongue-in-cheek picture of the proceedings. I say ironic because the government’s case was prepared and presented by supposedly well-educated people educated under the existing standardized curricula. However, it is the testimony of students and teachers that clears the air and puts the focus back on educational outcomes rather than arbitrary regulations. This section of the film had the greatest impact as the students documented the proceedings and commented on the deliberations. It shows that they are extremely perceptive and knowledgeable beyond their years.

I was won over by the articulate and rational way in which these students present themselves. This, I assume, is a product of his upbringing at Summerhill. They are emotionally healthy, happy and intellectually developed children and much better prepared to face the world and its enormous problems. Similarly, they have much better tools for shaping society and coping with the harsh realities of the real world. I left this movie with a feeling of envy. Why couldn’t I have been one of them?

The filmmaker’s valiant efforts bring to light this innovative teaching philosophy and the dangers should it go out. And if there’s a weakness in this movie, it’s that we don’t get to hear the inspectors talk and experience firsthand their plan to shut down this school. We only have their written reports that the students discredit by pointing out the flaws in the inspector’s investigation. The threat of government intrusion and their old-school mentality is therefore implied rather than seen.

The catch as catch can camerawork features a fly-on-the-wall perspective. Only a few scenes look contrived. The editing of the courtroom memories is very inventive and a highlight of the film. Handwritten notes, sketches, and doodles cleverly augment the voiceovers. And when the complaint about the lack of toilets in the school arises, it is delightfully countered with a long series of flushing toilets. The movie is an even portrayal and the sections on getting dressed and sneaking out after lights out seemed as much a part of the story as the classroom activities.

“Imagine a School – Summerhill” is a film that challenges thinking about education and the role of government in regulating it. This film illuminates the alternatives as well as the hopes for the future. If these educational principles and philosophies were incorporated into our schools, imagine what it would be like.

CREDITS: Key interviews with Orson Bean, Tom Conti, Peter Coyote and Rebecca De Mornay. Director: William Tyler Smith; Executive Producers: William Tyler Smith and JD Hoxter; Producers: Morris S. Levy, Emma Broomhead and Ann Jackman; Associate Producer and Sales Agent: Jill Gambaro, Director of Photography: JD Hoxter; Editor: Ann Jackman; Music Composer: Justin Samaha; Produced by 418 Films, Ltd.; Run time: 67 minutes; Filmed in Great Britain and the United States. Not Rated. Available on DVD on Amazon.