experimental primary and secondary coeducational boarding school in Leiston, Suffolk, Eng. Founded in 1921, it is famous for the revolutionary educational theories of its headmaster, A.S. Neill. The teaching methods and curriculum are flexible, and the accent is on contempo-rary needs rather than the traditional classical course of studies, although those also are of-fered. The school is self-governing (students and staff each have a voice in policy matters), and class attendance is optional; the children are free to do as they please except in con-cerns of safety, health, or interference with the rights of others. There are six forms (classes) organized more according to ability than to age. The curriculum is pre-university, with a heavy emphasis on arts and crafts. Although some have criticized its modern methods, its goals are traditional: to encourage personal achievement and integrity and to prepare stu-dents for advanced education and professional careers.
From: "Summerhill School." Encyclopędia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopędia Britannica Premium Service.11 Jun, 2003
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=72140.

also called Informal School, or Open Classroom, school in which the teaching system is based on an environment structured to encourage the child to become actively involved in the learning process. The free school stresses individualized rather than group instruction, and children proceed from one step to another at their own rate of development. The school day is not divided into rigid timetables as in a traditional classroom. At the teacher's discre-tion and under his guidance, children are engaged individually or in small groups in a wide variety of activities for longer periods of time than the usual class meeting. Talking and mov-ing about are not forbidden; in fact, physical activity and conversation are necessary to this type of learning.
In Great Britain the method has become common since the end of World War II. It is also widely used in the United States , where such schooling is known as open classroom.
From: "Free School." Encyclopędia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopędia Britannica Premium Service. 11 Jun, 2003
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=812