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2. Sound nutritional or functional training by means of a wide range of
general activities, such as games, jumping and dancing.
The modern syllabus lesson contains an equal measure of these two types of
work; and the objective at the commencement of the reorganisation was to adapt
the syllabus lessons throughout London so as to achieve these objects. It was
obvious at the start that teachers' classes and lecture demonstrations must be the
chief means of giving the teachers the necessary material to build up good syllabus
lessons, these classes being supplemented by visits to schools and demonstration
lessons. This work has absobed the major portion of the organisers' time, often,
it is feared, to the detriment of other branches of the subject. The syllabus lesson,
however, is the one form of physical activity which reaches every child in London
capable of taking exercise, and thus this concentration was more than justified.
(ii) Boys' work.—The work of the boys' classes has made remarkable strides in
recent years.
The vast majority of the teachers now have knowledge of the essentials which
should underlie the modern lesson. The success with which these essentials are
carried out, however, naturally varies from class to class. Greater accuracy and a
wider range of movement are noticeable in the formal exercises, and, speaking
generally, these are much more effectively " coached " than was formerly the case.
The possibilities of the general activity section of the lesson are better understood,
and it is a rare thing to find a lesson taken without any attention being paid to this
side of the work.
Improved as the position is with regard to these two essential points, there is
still ample scope for development in these directions, particularly in the better and
more ambitious arrangement of the general activity group. The organisation
of the various classes on a team basis is more or less general, whilst in many schools
the house system is firmly established and is producing excellent results. It is
now usual to find the boys working in their shirt sleeves, and, as a small indication
of the changing attitude of mind towards the subject, it is much more common
to find the teacher also working with his coat off.
The very considerable change which has taken place has been made possible
by two factors:—
(a) The keenness of the teachers to give to their boys the best physical training
that lies in their power.
(b) The liberal provision of teachers' classes which have enabled all who so desire
to become conversant with modern requirements.
(iii) Girls' and Infants' Work.—For many years past a great effort has been
made in the schools to get the children into clothing suitable for exercising in. The
children are rarely overloaded with clothes to the same extent as in the old days,
and this factor in itself has contributed to the general health of the child. It is much
more usual now to find the children wearing rubber shoes for their physical training
lesson, and year by year the number of gymnastic costumes has increased. In
several girls' schools in poor areas in which the physical training forms a vital part
of the school life, almost the whole of the girls are in this type of dress.
The organisation of the lessons as regards outdoor work will always present a
difficulty so long as there is only one playground available for the two departments.
It is strongly recommended that in new buildings two separate playgrounds should
be provided. Five years ago a small proportion of the work was taken out of doors,
but this practice is becoming much more common, especially in the morning lesson
in the infant schools.
The general effectiveness of the work has increased very appreciably in recent
years. It has been realised that if there is to be sufficient activity to satisfy the
child's body in the short periods given to exercise, there must be methodical organ-