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36
Use of
Borough
Councils'
washing
baths.
Central
schools.
Elementary
schools.—
(1) Physical
training.
which can be adopted for remedying the condition; and, as enquiries had been
frequently made as to whether the special metal combs used at the cleansing centres
could be purchased by parents, arrangements were completed during 1931 whereby
the nursing staff at the cleansing centres can requisition from the supplies department
a stock of such combs for sale to parents.
During 1931 new disinfecting and cleansing stations were opened by the Bermondsey
and the Lewisham Borough Councils, and the Council entered into agreements
for the use of these centres for children. The small centre at the "Chaucer"
school was closed, and the children from all contributory schools were transferred
from this centre to the new Bermondsey station. There are now 10 Council centres,
20 Borough Council centres, and 9 centres organised by voluntary committees; but,
as the last named are limited to head cleansings, these are not equipped with sterilisers
or baths.

Ambulances are provided for the conveyance of children from out-lying schools
to the bathing centres. During 1931, 12,056 children were thus conveyed, practically
all compulsory cases.
Co-operation with the medical officers of the City of London and the metropolitan
boroughs in remedying verminous conditions in the homes of children has been
continued.
The number of children attending for warm baths during school hours was
34,529 in 1931, compared with 35,089 in 1930.
Physical Education and Teaching of Hygiene.
The organisers of physical education (Mr. A. H. A. Gem and Miss Grant S. Clark)
presented a report to the Education Committee for the two years ended July, 1931,
from which the following notes have been taken.
Boys.—It is very noticeable that the best work is carried out in those schools which have a
measure of specialisation in force. Where the attempt is being made to divide the work amongst
five or six teachers, it is generally found that the measure of success achieved has not been great,
whereas in cases where it has proved possible to put the work into the hands of two or perhaps
three suitable teachers, the results are promising.
Oirls.—In the past two years, one training course reserved for teachers in central schools
has been held.
It is usual to have a certain amount of specialisation and this is more particularly the case
as regards the upper classes. The more advanced type of work is becoming better understood
by the teachers, and is therefore performed with greater skill by the pupils. The addition of a
limited range of apparatus work has added greatly to the interest and effectiveness of the lessons.
This is handled with much more confidence now, and in some instances reaches a high standard.
Oeneral.—Generally speaking, the time devoted to this branch of education in the central
schools is inadequate. Whilst realising that demands on the time-table are somewhat greater
than is the case in the ordinary elementary school, it is considered that three half-hour lessons a
week would not be an unreasonable allocation of time.
The reorganisation of schools at present proceeding has inevitably created many difficulties
from the physical training point of view. Prior to the commencement of the reorganisation
practically every school had on its staff one or more teachers who had a working knowledge of
the requirements of the 1919 syllabus, but with the redistribution of staff the position has materially
altered, and much work lies ahead in this matter before the balance can be re-adjusted.
The 1919 syllabus constituted a very real advance on that of 1909, but the teachers and
children quickly adapted themselves to this step forward, and the work now taken in the teachers'
classes is a definite advance on that contained in the 1919 syllabus. It is clear that if the senior
children are to be adequately exercised, still more advanced work is now necessary.