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18
I am indebted to the Borough Education Officer for the
following notes of the main developments likely to affect the
health of the children, which have taken place in the educational
service during the year and for his continued co-operation
and that of his staff in the work of the School Health
Services:—
"PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
During 1948, the situation in schools has not improved
with regard to accommodation and general facilities. In
fact the facilities for physical education are fewer than
ever, owing to the erection of classrooms in playgrounds.
In April the distribution of Organisers of Physical Education
in the County was re-organised and instead of two
organisers being responsible for the physical education in
Hendon, the areas of Hendon, Willesden and Wembley
were combined. By this arrangement the work of the
organisers was trebled, consequently the amount of time
available for visiting the schools and helping the teachers
was less than one-third of the time previously available.
Not only has this reduced the number of visits of
organisers to the schools but the consequent loss of contact
with the teachers and their difficulties is much to be
regretted, the personal contact having proved invaluable
in previous years.
With the frequent changes of staff and the appointment
of emergency teachers to the Borough, the assistance
given by organisers should have been increased rather
than diminished, but under present conditions this is
impossible, not only by the increased area for which the
organisers are responsible, but by a great increase in the
amount of office work due to centralisation. The work
of the Remedial Gymnast is proving most valuable; so
much so that a request has been made for the appointment
of a further Remedial Gymnast to visit the schools which
are not covered at present.
SWIMMING:
The swimming this summer again proved disappointing
as the weather was very inclement. Again the need