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they are requested by head teachers. In primary schools
regular cleanliness inspections have been discontinued where,
at three consecutive inspections, no cases of uncleanliness
have been found but further inspections are made if
requested by the head teacher or it appears that special circumstances
warrant an intensification of this work.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1 am indebted to the Physical Education Advisers,
Mr. J. Hopkins and Miss E. A. Osgathorp for the following
report:—
"The shortage of trained teachers is an acute national
problem and Physical Education is particularly affected as it
is neither desirable nor safe to allow untrained members of
staff to be responsible for this subject, particularly at the
secondary stage where much gymnastic apparatus and athletic
equipment is available. It is pleasing to note that the
effect of this national problem is less noticeable in the Borough
of Bexley than in some other parts of the County, and
on the whole a good standard of physical education has been
maintained.
The schools are well equipped for physical education
and a large range of apparatus is provided to stimulate the
children's interest, and help them to adjust to, and manage
their rapid physical development. The primary schools in
particular are making excellent use of this apparatus. It is
presented as a challenge to the children, to help develop:
their initiative, courage and self-reliance as well as physical
agility and strength.
The majority of the primary children transfer to secondary
schools full of enthusiasm, and with a willingness to
work hard and to tackle anything presented to them, to the
best of their ability. All too often with the onset of adolescence
this interest in active pursuits fades, particularly with
the girls, and some children who were once so alive and eager
become lethargic and disinterested. Some secondary schools
are overcoming this problem, to some degree, by encouraging
new activities such as fencing and badminton, and developing
the courage, initiative and self-reliance fostered in the primary
school, by introducing the children to some of the
challenges offered by their surroundings—the air, rivers, the
sea, countryside and hills, etc. These activities can only be
introduced during school life, but they may be pusued later
to become worthwhile hobbies. The Youth Service is doing
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