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57
of several modern pavilions fitted with changing rooms, trough and shower baths and facilities
for refreshments, those situated at Morden and Middle Park being admirable illustrations of
modern practice.
In circular 1445 the Board of Education recommended that three periods a week should be
devoted to gymnastic training and that this time should be in addition to that devoted to games
and swimming. While it must be many years before this ideal is reached, nevertheless a decided
advance has been made in recent times. Physical education is now far more widely accepted
as a fundamental of education than was formerly the case, and progressive schools now give each
form at least two lessons a week in addition to games and swimming.
The Council has for many years past made generous provision for the continued education
of the citizens of London, and gymnastics, dancing and boxing have always held a prominent
place in the curriculum of the various institutes. These activities have in the past attracted
many keen students and it is of interest to note the steady growth of classes of this type.
Since the formation of the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training, the education
of public opinion on the necessity of keeping fit has been intensified, and the recent formation
of the National Fitness Council has given further impetus to this movement. The County
Council, through the medium of the evening classes, is peculiarly well placed to assist this campaign,
as not only can students be recruited to the existing classes, but the number of classcs
can be very considerably increased. During the past year the range of physical activities which
a student may take has been widened, and a boy or man now has the choice of gymnastics (with
or with out apparatus), boxing, fencing, wrestling, swimming and folk dancing. The aim is to
offer such a wide variety of physical activities that each may choose his own method of keeping
lit. There is little demand on the part of the men for the more simple "keep-fit" type of class,
and the lessons which necessitate the use of apparatus make a greater appeal.
The newer types of activity have made a promising start, and there are already twelve
fencing classes and seven wrestling classes. Gymnastics and boxing draw the greatest number
of students, and there are several hundred of such classes.
A girl or woman can take gymnastics (with or without apparatus), fencing, swimming, eurhythmies
and dancing of various types.
There was a very heavy enrolment for women's classes in physical education in one or other
of its branches at the beginning of the current session. It will be appreciated that an enrolment
figure in any subject is always considerably higher than the attendance figure, but the latter is
not yet available. Frequently the student attends two or more classes in the week, so the number
given does not represent individuals, although it gives some gauge of the popularity of the subject.
Quite a wide range of physical activities is available, and while all branches of the subject
have their adherents, the "keep-fit" classes have claimed the largest numbers.
The outstanding feature of the present session is the growth of interest amongst the older
women, for whom classes have been formed, both in the afternoon and the evening. For these
women the "keep-fit" type of lesson, consisting mainly of simple exercises performed to music
and easy dances is particularly suited. The women look forward to their classcs and all testify
to the value of the exercise. When refresher courses for teachers arc held, the special points
to bear in mind when dealing with these older women are always stressed.
There is clear evidence that the suspicion with which classes sponsored by a local education
authority were at one time treated is decreasing, and students are enrolling in such classes in
increasing numbers. One feature of considerable interest is the growing tendency of firms to
seek facilities for their employees to join " keep-fit " classes during working hours, and the
Council is able to do much to foster this enterprise.
Provision of meals
Dinners are provided for necessitous children attending school, and follow menus
which have been approved by the school medical officer.
Samples of meals provided are taken from time to time and submitted for
analysis by the Council's chemist, the required standard being that each complete
meal should contain 25 grammes protein and have a heat value of 750 calories.
Since the commencement of 1936 all children receiving dinners free or on partpayment
have been brought before the school doctor at the earliest opportunity,
and thereafter kept under observation by examination at 3-monthly intervals.
Children are given milk and/or oil and malt on the recommendation of the school
doctor. Those on the milk list receive two bottles of milk daily, and they are kept
under observation by the school doctor regularly.
In addition to those shown in the following table as receiving milk free, on the
doctors' advice, there are a number recommended by the doctors to have milk,
whose parents are able to pay for it. These, too, receive two bottles daily.
Evening
education