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168
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1911
Physical
exercises.
These would be places for single seats and desks. Stress has not hitherto been put on
seats and desks, as the dimensions used are of good proportions, and if intelligently used the sizes
sufficiently numerous. The provision of sufficient space is of more importance than the exact model
and dimensions of the furniture. It should be fully realised that furniture alone will serve but little
purpose unless the teachers are alert in inculcating good attitudes, and that good attitudes mean
avoidance of fatigue and, therefore, increased educational efficiency.
Miscellaneous.
The remedial exercises undertaken voluntarily and often out of school hours by the
drill mistresses in girls' secondary schools have resulted in considerable modification of the
physical defects. The pupils who present conditions suitable for such treatment are re-examined
at regular intervals in the presence of the drill mistress ; more regular, frequent and persistent treatment
would prove beneficial. The sitting and writing positions which play a considerable part in the
production of spinal defects still give rise to difficulty. During the course of medical inspection, Dr.
Tchaykovsky has demonstrated the effects of bad attitudes to the pupils by the use of a full length
mirror, with beneficial results on the general carriage and deportment. The drill costume which has
now been adopted as the school uniform in many schools and worn daily by practically all the children
has got rid of much of the over-weighting by corsets and petticoats, and led to improvement in general
posture.
In some cases there is no provision of any sort of pavilion or covered shed in connection with
the games ground, so that on rainy days the girls are obliged to travel considerable distances in wet
boots and stockings. Considering the compulsory nature of games, it would be advantageous to
insist on a change of footgear in wet weather, and to provide some sort of shelter for changing.
A special feature of the Graystoke Place Training College is the daily health exercises, which are
taken for fifteen minutes prior to the commencement of college work. Dr. Tchaykovsky notes the
improvement which results in the students after a few terms. These daily health exercises have been
worked out by Miss Hughes, the gymnastic instructress at the college, and the following short note is
taken from her account:—
The college work begins at 10 a.m. From 9.15 to 10 a.m. students come in three divisions
(15 minutes each) for exercises. These are done in ordinary dress and are regarded as individual
health work. There is no drill class element in it. Students take the same places each day, and the
work is done quietly. They like it, and feel it a rest after their journey to college. This daily work
gives the physical mistress opportunity of observing students more individually. It is also possible
in connection with this work to give many hints about daily habits and more suitable ordinary clothing.
The following exercises were given:—
(1) Breathing.—(i.) Use of handkerchief.
(ii.) Breathing through one nostril (to clear nasal passage).
(iii.) Normal deep breathing in good position of the body.
(2) Abdominal Press.—(General Corrective Figure Exercise).
“Draw In." Abdominal muscles are gently contracted.
“Relax.” Abdominal muscles are gently relaxed.
Jerky movement must be avoided.
This movement is carried right up the spine, resulting in drawing back of the hips, straightening
of the spine, flattening of the shoulder blades, expansion of the chest, and drawing back of the head.
The result is an easy and well-balanced position of the body.
The abdominal muscles become stronger and healthier, which with many girls has been a great
help for constipation and indigestion, etc.
(3) Dancing Step or Simple Dance.—For circulatory purposes and also pleasure. This is
changed daily, and thus puts variety into the work.
(4) Arm Movements.—Simple aesthetic movements are taken here, as the usual arm stretching
movements are done in the ordinary training classes.
(5) Corrective Movement.—Head bending.
Trapezium movements for round shoulders.
These are used at first, if necessary, in classes where there is a large proportion of round
phoulders and poking heads.
(6) Breathing. Relaxation exercises.—Students lie on the floor in complete relaxation, mental
and physical, eyes shut. Normal rhythmic breathing is directed. This is not only physical rest, but
mentally soothing. It has been useful to many girls suffering from sleeplessness and nerve strain.
Closure of
Stormont
House School
Stormont House for Mentally Defective Blind boys was practically an asylum in which numbers
of children generally with degenerative nervous diseases had become collected. It was scarcely worthy
of consideration as an educational institute and comparatively costly to maintain. On reviewing the
cases several appeared fit for training in the ordinary blind or residential blind schools. The others
were fit for such an establishment as Darenth or an asylum for mentally defective blind cases. The
school was therefore closed, and the children disposed of to various institutions. The building is now
being utilised as an industrial school for younger boys.
Remand
Homes.
The Council being responsible for the medical supervision of residential special and industrial
schools and places of detention, these institutions have now come into the responsibility of the school
medical officer. In May, 1911, a conference was held between the officials of the department and the