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School fields have had a great deal of use and steps were taken towards
the end of the year to restrict the use of these fields in order that they may
recover enough to stand the wear and tear of normal school activities which,
under the new Education Act, are very much increased. Plans have been
approved for the laying of cricket tables on all playing fields where possible and
some of the work has already been completed.
Footwear and Apparatus.
"The provision of shoes to about 20% of the school population has
resulted in better work and the return of some small balls to the games store
has helped the infant departments. The supply of small apparatus generally,
however, has been good compared with other areas. Some lockers for the
storage of shoes and clothing in classroom units were delivered to all schools
before Christmas and loss of this equipment by theft should be considerably
less.
"Maintenance and repair of all large portable and fixed apparatus has been
undertaken during the year. In the Autumn Essex Agility Apparatus was
installed in two infant departments as an experiment and it has proved very
successful in the training of courage and initiative not to mention the amount
of joyous activity which the infants have had from its use. Experiments are
now being made with other types of apparatus for infant and junior schools for
hall and playground use.
School Activities.
"Hockey as well as netball was played by the majority of girls in the
senior and secondary schools and in one school an experimental season of tennis
on public courts with girls in their last year at school proved so successful that
it will be extended to all schools in 1947. An experiment in Modern Dance,
taken by the senior lecturer at St. Katharine's College, has been much enjoyed
by the girls at Raynham Road School and the junior lecturer undertook, with
the help of students specialising in physical education, to coach the senior girls
at St. James's School in hockey and netball. A coloured film, showing the
work of the Swedish team who demonstrated in London and the provinces
during the Autumn, was shown to all girls in their last year at school and as a
result a 'Keep Fit' evening class was formed.
Remedials.
"Two remedial gymnasts (specialists in physical education with the
addition of the Diploma of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) have been
working in eight infant and seven junior departments and in the Open Air
School. During the year 1,125 children have been having treatment for postural
defects and 184 have been discharged. These children are examined again in
three months' time and given further treatment if necessary. There is still a
long list of children waiting to be treated at these schools as well as at those
schools which are not visited.
"It has been difficult to find suitable room in some schools and there is
likely to be a greater difficulty in the future. The provision of floor covering
is also a problem, particularly where floors are likely to splinter.
"All arrangements and initial examinations are carried out by the Organisers,
Cheir diagnosis being confirmed by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health
who examines all cases termly.
Swimming.
"Progress has been made in swimming, although the facilities are not
ideal and the season is very short. 875 boys and 1,050 girls attended the baths
weekly and 60% learnt to glide or to swim a few strokes. 112 boys and 132
girls passed the Education Committee's elementary test, 53 girls passed the
intermediate test (for girls only) and 17 boys and 24 girls the advanced test.
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