Episode Details

In this Spotlight episode of Independently Speaking, Helen Stanton-Tonner visits the legendary Summerhill School, founded in 1921 by A.S. Neill, and meets Zoë Neill Redhead, the principal and daughter of the founder. Discover how Summerhill’s pioneering philosophy of “freedom, not license” shapes a community where students and staff share equal voices, classes are optional, and personal responsibility drives learning. From the iconic school meetings to creative spaces and innovative traditions, hear how Summerhill nurtures confident, compassionate young people while challenging assumptions about education worldwide. Read more about Zoë's book, Barefoot in November, on the Summerhill website. The book is also available on Audible. The drama Summerhill is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.