View report page

51
Propagation of information by means of teachers' classes must inevitably be a slow process,
whilst for this purpose school to school visiting was out of the question with the existing staff.
Abnormal methods had, therefore, to be adopted in an attempt to get an immediate result.
Firstly, the Council supplied a free copy of the new syllabus to every teacher responsible for
conducting physical training. Secondly, conferences of head teachers were held in every district
in London, each under the chairmanship of the district inspector, and the head teachers of infant,
junior, senior, unreorganised and central schools attended. At these conferences the organisers
of physical education explained the general plan of the syllabus, illustrated many of the newer
features, and then points of general interest were discussed. In this way, all head teachers had
the opportunity of obtaining immediate information with regard to the new publication.
In addition to these conferences for head teachers, the programme of teachers' classes was
extended to the greatest possible extent, and the enrolment for these courses has been exceptionally
large ; in fact, many teachers have failed to obtain admission. The number of courses
which can be held must be strictly limited, whilst the number admitted to any given course can
never be large.
Various teachers' associations and other bodies interested in education have shown much
initiative in arranging special conferences to hear about the new syllabus. The organisers of
physical education have addressed many such meetings.
A demonstration was also arranged for the Council's school medical staff in order to give
the doctors an opportunity of seeing the newer type of work which is gradually being spread
throughout the schools. Approximately 60 school doctors attended in addition to senior medical
officers of the service.
Members of the Education Committee were also invited to witness demonstrations of infant,
junior and senior work at the Council's College of Physical Education.
As many schools as possible have been visited, and such visits generally conclude with a
staff conference and a demonstration of work.
These in brief are the steps which have been taken to introduce the 1933 syllabus of physical
training, and there are signs that the newer type of work is already being successfully tackled in
many of the Council's schools.
In regard to the syllabus itself, the importance of good posture has been stressed, and there
are three main features which contribute to this desirable end:—
(1) In an endeavour to obtain reasonably supple bodies, a wide variety of movements
performed with a rhythmical swing have been introduced.
(2) The importance of the hip and abdominal muscles has been emphasised and many
abdominal exercises have been included in the syllabus.
(3) There is a fuller realisation that it is essential for the teacher to see the body of the
child on which he is working, and with this end in view a far more sensible dress is suggested.
One of the problems for the future is to provide the necessary shoes and clothing.
Turning to the general activity side of the lesson, it is found that wider use of group and
individual practices is suggested.
Accommodation.
A most progressive policy has recently been adopted so tar as accommodation lor physical
training is concerned. In the past the work has had to be conducted either in the playground
or else in the school hall, and this practice is bound to continue in the great majority of the
existing schools. In all new senior schools, however, and in those senior schools due for modernising
or rebuilding a much more liberal provision is being made. Such schools will, in future,
have a gymnasium. Changing rooms fitted with a limited number of shower baths, together
with a changing room for the teacher and an apparatus store, are also being constructed. This
provision marks an important advance on the standard planning previously in force, and several
of these new gymnasia have already been completed, whilst many are in the course of construction.
In future the size of playgrounds will also be increased and pits for long and high jumping
will be provided.
It is urged that the problem of the new junior school shall not be overlooked. The need for
a physical training room in such departments is also great, particularly in the case of mixed schools.
In wet weather they are faced with a real difficulty. The boys and girls usually separate for
their physical training : one group works in the hall and there is thus no accommodation for the
other. The result is that either the boys or the girls miss their physical training when the weather
is bad. A physical training room would obviate this defect.
Allocation
of time.
A considerable advance has been made with regard to the amount of time devoted to physical
education. A circular has been issued by the Education Committee to all elementary schools
urging the head teachers to provide a daily period of organised physical activity for all children.
It will be appreciated that many schools had already made such provision, and it is hoped that
everv department, where staff and premises permit, will now allocate a daily lesson.
Swimming.
Increasing advantage is being taken of the facilities provided for swimming, and the construction
of several new baths has proved of inestimable benefit to a large number of schools. At the
start of reorganisation, there was a real danger of junior schools ceasing to take swimming owing
to the age rule governing the attendance of children at the baths. This rule was, however, relaxed,
and the response on the part of the junior schools was immediate. Enthusiasm has been well
maintained, and some excellent swimming lessons have been seen during the past two years.
Improvement is most noticeable in respect of the organisation of the lessons. There is far
less tendency to allow children to teach themselves to swim, and a greater appreciation of the