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12
The number of children for whom special school, convalescent
or hospital school treatment was provided during the year
for periods of varying length was 19.
Physical Training.
On the recommendation of the School Medical Officer,
children are given remedial physical training in the schools by
teachers who have been trained in this subject. Orthopaedic
cases attend the remedial clinics held at Bedonwell Hill.
Facilities are given by the Education Committee to teachers
to attend courses of instruction in physical training, and the
Education Committee have also voted additional expenditure
in respect of Physical Training equipment and apparatus. They
have provided gym shoes for the more necessitous of the
children.
Mr. G. H. Atkinson still acts as organiser for Physical
Training, but Mrs. McLennon has resigned and Miss Bailey is
to take her place.
The influence of the organisers upon the physical training,
games and swimming in the schools is already to be seen, and
an improved scheme for swimming has been carried out by the
teachers acting jointly with the organisers. Both the organisers
are well qualified and experienced.
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.
Physical Education Clubs continue to function in association
with the schools, and old pupils' associations also have these
sports organisations. Already Erith has seven flourishing
'Keep Fit' Classes held mainly in the Schools during the
evenings.
Co-operation of Parents, Teachers, &c.
I have mentioned previously that parents continue to show
keen interest in the medical examination of their children. At
Routine Medical Inspections the parents attend in 91 per cent.
of inspections in the case of infants, 82 per cent. in the case
of intermediates, and 58 per cent. in the case of leavers.