A Kick Against the Pricks

Summerhill Academy, Aberdeen, Scotland, 1974.cThe Headteacher, R F Mackenzie, is Scotland’s foremost progressive educationalist. He is compelled to take early retirement by the Aberdeen Education Committee. Why?

This book, largely written at the time 47 years ago, explores the issues and in-fighting behind the decision. It also describes some of what happened after regime change – different values and priorities. The author, Principal Teacher of English at the school from 1972-1978, also gives a close-up description of his own classroom, warts-and-all - his attempts to develop pupils’ more independent ways of working and his clashes with those in charge of “normalising” the school.