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number of certificates per department, the Hoxton Branch heads the list with an
average of 19.5 per department. Tollington Park Central (Islington, N.) claims the
greatest number of certificates for boys with a total of 65, whilst Greenwich Park
Central (Greenwich) heads the list for the girls with a total of 66.
(b) Life Saving.—Once again the number of life-saving certificates gained by the
girls far exceeds those credited to the boys. Advanced Certificates:—Boys, 1,170;
Girls, 1,822. Total, 2,992. Elementary Certificates:—Boys, 1,977; Girls, 3,054.
Total, 5,031. Grand total, 8,023.
The Hackney Branch gained the greatest number of certificates with a total of
874. Napier Street Boys' School (Shoreditch) gained the greatest number of both
advanced and elementary certificates with 55 and 98 respectively; whilst North
Paddington Central Girls' School (Paddington, N.) headed the list for both advanced
and elementary certificates with totals of 52 and 69 respectively.
The foundation for the above achievements is laid in the ordinary school
swimming lesson, provided by the Council, which work is ably supplemented by the
London Schools Swimming Association and its affiliated districts, to whom much credit is
due.
"Health Classes" consist of small groups of children selected by the school
doctor as requiring special attention in regard to drill. These children have a daily
lesson taken by the most suitable teacher on the staff. Special arrangements for
suitability of gymnastic costume and for attention to institutional requirements
are made and the small size of the group makes it possible for the teacher to pay
individual attention to the children. During the past year such classes have been
held in 37 boys' and 52 girls' departments. The success achieved in some of these
classes has shown head teachers the value of regular and frequent exercise, and has
led to the institution of daily lessons throughout their schools. These classes are
closely watched by the school doctors and the physical growth of the children is
measured. Improvement in general nutrition, increase in chest expansion, and
correction of postural defects are features of the reports made.
Health
classes.
Although it is recognised that a great deal of attention has been given to the
teaching of hygiene and that very impressive work is being done in many schools,
it has been felt that in the absence of a definite place on the school syllabus the
importance of the subject has been insufficiently recognised, especially in the upper
classes of boys' departments. As a result of discussions and examination anew
of the question which arose during the consideration of the annual report of the
Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education for the year 1926, a very happy
conclusion has been arrived at. Following a conference the Chief Inspector had
with representative teachers, proposals were embodied and accepted by the Central
Consultative Committee of Head Masters and Girls' Head Mistresses. These were :—
Teaching of
hygiene.
(1) That hygiene should be taken on a syllabus.
(2) That hygiene should be taken all through the school course.
(3) That, say, between 11 and 14 years of age there should be a course of
hygiene lessons, so called, e.g., a fortnightly lesson for one year.
(4) That the work done in school and in the domestic economy centre
should be co-ordinated.
The Education Committee of the Council, in adopting these proposals (13.2.29)
gave authority for the scheme outlined above to be issued in the form of a memorandum
to the elementary schools. A copy of the handbook of suggestions on health
education issued by the Board of Education has been sent to every school, and the
handbook has been placed upon the requisition list for the use of teachers.
Open Air Education.
Provision for education in the open air during the past year included 7 open
air schools. accommodating 1,200 non-tuberculous children (the new school at Upton