Progressive schools

Many of the practices and theories initiated by progressive schools from the end of the 19th century onwards have been widely adopted by other schools. Progressive schools tended to put the emphasis on community atmosphere and were less affected than many other schools by the relics of Victorian public-school values (such as unquestioning deference to authority and the status quo). Most of them are co-ed, with good examination results and many offer a wide range of non-academic activities including farming, gardening, adventure training and community service. Schools that have been regarded as progressive include Abbotsholme, Bedales, King Alfred’s and St Christopher’s (Letchworth), as well as all the Friends’ schools, Steiner Waldorf schools and those belonging to the Round Square Conference.