[originaltext] With only one or two exceptions, Summerhill is quite unlike a

With only one or two exceptions, Summerhill is quite unlike any other school in England. Being a small private boarding school founded over 70 years ago by A.S. Neil, it continues to this day to follow his belief that children should be given as much freedom as possible. This means, for one thing, that lessons are optional. Children can choose which subjects they go to or can decide to stay away from lessons altogether if they wish. Many children who transfer to Summerhill from more conventional schools where lessons are compulsory can often hardly believe their luck and stay away from lessons for many weeks after their arrival. But eventually they settle in and start attending classes quite voluntarily. The school can take this casual approach to children missing lessons partly because of its belief that much of the work done by pupils in ordinary schools is simply a waste of time and partly because willing pupils learn much more quickly. Good digestion waits on appetite.
    Summerhill is remarkable in other ways too. There is a weekly meeting of all the pupils and staff which makes school rules and policy. Everyone has the same fights and teachers can be outvoted by pupils. The meeting appoints a tribunal which deals with those caught stealing or breaking school roles.