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206
Swimming.
Two baths are used for teaching our children to swim—the
excellent modern bath at High Road which contains a Learners'
Pool reserved exclusively for children and Cathall Road Baths,
which is also a good bath of older type.
Beginning with the 1938 season the Authority has approved
the policy, which has been endorsed by the Borough Council, of
making swimming a recognised subject of instruction for all children
who are not exempted for medical reasons. It has been decided
to apply the policy to all children in the top year of the Junior
School and the lowest year of the Senior and Central Schools.
After receiving this two years' course the children will continue
to take swimming while they remain in the Senior and Central
Schools.
Teachers' Courses.
During the year 1937 courses of instruction were conducted
by the Organisers of Physical Training for teachers in Infant,
in Junior and in Senior and Central Schools. The courses, which
were of a voluntary nature, were held in the evenings. Short
courses of lecture-demonstrations of typical lessons with progressive
teaching were given for Head Teachers of all types of
school. In the course of visits to schools many demonstrations
for teachers have been given with the teachers' own classes.
Footwear.
During the past year the Education Committee allotted a sum
of money to the provision of plimsols for children whose parents
were unable to provide them for physical training. In addition,
many children are provided with plimsols by their parents, so
that a considerable advance has been made towards their use by
all children—a real necessity if they are to derive full benefit from
the work and follow it with safety.
In this connection the provision of suitable storage for shoes
and clothing for physical training is an important question and
is under consideration. Equipment for the purpose is at the
moment being tried out.
Voluntary Organisations.
There is a very marked spirit of voluntary effort on behalf
of the children among Leyton teachers. This is exemplified by
flourishing School Cricket and Football Associations which receive
the active support of many teachers, who coach and train the