London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bromley 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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In order to provide for greater numbers, arrangements were made
in one instance to duplicate classes for older pupils attending the
large Open Air Swimming Bath.
Provision was made for a session of ten weeks duration, but inclement weather reduced rather seriously the teaching value of some of the swimming periods in the open air.
| Schools. | Attendances (each week). | No. of children. |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary | 53 classes of 25-30 children. | 1,590 (approx.) per week. |
| Primary | 35 classes of 25-30 children. | 1,050 (approx.) per week. |
| Total | 2,640 per week. |
Owing to financial restrictions winter swimming was not
possible at the beginning of 1954. but arrangements were made for
seven Secondary schools and one Primary school to send single
classes during the Autumn Term. This extension of the swimming
season enabled indoor facilities to be experienced by schools whose
normal programme has previously relied solely on the variable
conditions experienced with an open air swimming bath.
Competitive Swimming.
Individual School Galas.—Most schools arrange a small
Gala as an item in the programme for the Summer Term.
Bromley Schools Gala.—A most successful and well
organised Gala was held at Downham Baths in July when eight
Secondary and six Primary schools provided a most interesting
evening with excellent swimming and diving.
Kent County Gala.—Bromley was well represented at the
Kent County Schools Swimming Association Gala by 14 boys and
13 girls from Secondary Schools but results were not as good as
was hoped.
All England Schools Gala.—Two girls represented Bromley
at the All England Schools Gala in breast stroke and diving,
and the girl in the latter event finished seventh.
4. Further Training of Teachers.
The further training of teachers has continued steadily
throughout the year, providing a wide choice of subjects to cover
the many aspects of modern Physical Education.
Opportunities to attend the following courses have been
available to all teachers. The majority of these courses attracted
encouraging support and attendances were good throughout:—
(1) Modern Dance Course for teachers in Secondary Girls Schools,
held on six Saturday mornings during the Spring Term.
(2) Modern Dance Course for beginners, held on eight evenings during
the Summer Term.
(3) Basket Ball Course for men teachers, held on six evenings during
the Autumn Term.