View report page

10
Open Air Schools.
There is 110 open-air school provided by this Authority but
as will be seen from Table III a number of delicate children
attend certified day schools maintained by other Education
Authorities, this Authority being responsible for the fees and
in most cases the parents contribute towards the cost.
Physical Training.
On the recommendation of the School Medical Officer
children are given physical training in the schools by teachers
who have been trained in this subject. Facilities are given to
teachers to attend courses of instruction in physical training.
The appointments of Mr. G. H. Atkinson and Miss I. C.
Maclennan as physical training organisers will undoubtedly
result in co-ordination of our physical training arrangements.
These appointments are the outcome of a proposal made
by the Erith Education Committee to the Education Committees
of Beckenham, Bromley, Gravesend and Penge that they should
combine to secure the services of a full time man and woman
for the five areas. The suggestion was accepted and a joint
committee formed of representatives from the five authorities
with Bromley as the parent authority. The allocation of service
and expenses to Erith has been made in the proportion of 4/20.
Their duties consist of demonstrating and organising the
physical education in the school time-tables which indicate when
and where physical training is taken. They are also advising
on the provision of physical training apparatus in the schools
and also arranging classes for teachers one of which, for men,
was held in Bromley, during the mornings, for three weeks
in March, 1937, the other for women being proposed similarly
for April, 1937.
It is hoped that the influence of the organisers upon the
physical training, games and swimming in the schools will be
valuable, as both the organisers are well qualified and
experienced.
I ndoubtedly physical training facilities already in existence,
such as gym clubs in the schools and evening courses for
juveniles will receive fresh stimulation when the new arrangements
have had time to produce their effect, and the physical
training given by teachers in the schools will be improved in
quality and of more value to the children.
As in previous years students from the Bergman Osterberg
Physical Training College, Dartford Heath, have attended some
of our central schools for teaching practice under the supervision
of the Head Teachers and tutors of the College.