The Barns Experiment

During World War II, the author of "The Hawkspur Experiment" conducted an experiment on difficult boys, aged eight to fourteen, who were evacuated from the city. The experiment was based on the principles of the Society of Friends' Hostel-school, which focused on affection and reformation rather than punishment. The methods were so successful that Barns became a permanent place in the field of therapy for dis-social children. It is now considered a therapeutic community and one of the earliest experiments of its kind.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1945, this captivating account delves into a remarkable experiment conducted by the author of "The Hawkspur Experiment." The onset of World War II temporarily suspended this latter experiment, providing the author with an invaluable opportunity to apply his principles to a group of younger, challenging boys. Aged between eight and fourteen, these boys hailed from the Evacuation Scheme, often considered the "throw-outs" due to their behavioral difficulties. However, before the inception of the Barns experiment, troublesome boys were being evacuated not solely to evade the threat of bombs but also to receive the specialized treatment offered by Barns.

Barns, a hostel school founded by the Society of Friends, stood as a unique and pioneering institution. Here, lawless boys forged their own rules and relied on affection as the primary tool for their transformation. The unconventional methods described in this book achieved remarkable success, convincing even skeptics of their efficacy. Barns has since secured a permanent place in the realm of dis-social therapy, recognized as a therapeutic community. Today, it would be characterized as one of the earliest experiments of its kind, raising awareness and paving the way for further research in this field.

Weight: 449g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032410463