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28
Fairchildes Boys' School planned a "group teaching" approach to the
Community Health Course throughout the Autumn term. Thirteen health
topics were presented to about 150 fifth year boys and their masters; a
further period being allowed each week for follow-up discussion in class.
The staff felt the project was successful and have requested a similar
programme in 1969. The master of the lower stream boys worked on the
subjects before the sessions, familiarising them with the technical words
involved and relating the content to their experience. Before a talk concerning
one of the health hazards of today i.e. food poisoning, he arranged
for the boys to look round the school kitchen and meet the staff.
This was one way of making the maximum use of a guest speaker's
time although discussion during the lessons was necessarily limited. One
practical difficulty disturbed the continuity of the lessons. They were
given in a hall with no black-out. To see films or slides the 150 boys had
to take their chairs and pack themselves on to the stage; the curtains were
then closed for the show to commence.
Both boys and girls in many schools undertook visits of observation in
connection with these courses and small groups of girls were learning while
they helped to look after toddlers in some of the Corporation clinics.
To widen and deepen pupils' interest in mankind the General Studies'
Course for the lower sixth form at Lady Edridge Grammar School was broken
down into cycles of studies each lasting about six weeks. The girls were
split into small groups and completed each course in turn. The subjects included
architecture, Photography, the beginnings of Greek philosophy and
the social patterns and problems of present day life. As an experiment the
social studies group led by a Health Education Officer approached their
previously selected and prepared subjects on an informal group discussion
basis and the girls were encouraged to think independently and to verify and
substantiate opinions. Each week they elected a new leader and secretary
and by about the third week the health education officer's role became one
of observer and unobtrusive guide as the group developed the art of discussion.
During the first session subjects were chosen for the following
weeks so that research and preparation could be undertaken. Topics included:—
"The changing role of women", "The illegitimate child", and
"Dependence and Interdependence".
B.B.C. Schools Radio and Television Programmes
There is a series of four radio programmes on "Reproduction and
Growth" for children in the first and second years of secondary schools.
Children from Overbury, Portland and Shirley Secondary Schools visited
Broadcasting House and recorded a most successful discussion with
Professor Bullough for a fifth programme.