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45
"Under these unsatisfactory conditions, in April the boys'
schools were found to be making the most of their opportunities,
but the girls' schools were not making full use of the fields. This
was probably due to one of four reasons:
(а) Distance of playing field from school, making organisation
and time-table arrangements difficult.
(b) Lack of knowledge of field games on the part of the teacher.
(c) Lack of provision for girls in the marking of pitches and
supply of apparatus (apart from Billet Road Field).
(d) Lack of lavatory accommodation and shelter in case of rain
(apart from Billet Road Field).
"The Billet Road Playing Field was in excellent condition,
with changing rooms and shower baths provided for the children.
This resulted in over-use of the field and emphasises the fact that
hygienic conditions add to the attraction of games.
"Field Games.—A winter programme of games was arranged
for Chestnuts, Low Hall Farm and Billet Road Playing Fields.
Permission was obtained to mark and use Aveling Park for classes
of school children, and extra pitches for girls were marked at Low
Hall Farm. Although the fields were in continual use from 11 a.m.
until dark, it was found impossible to cater for all those children
who should be enjoying a weekly period of field games. The need
for preserving the centrally-placed playing fields in Walthamstow
is urgent. Though space is available at Low Hall Farm, this is
of little use to many schools owing to difficulties of transport;
already much valuable time is occupied in travelling in the majority
of schools. There have been constant demands from both Girls'
and Boys' Schools for the reservation of more time for their schools
on the fields, showing an appreciation of the value of a games
period. This demand cannot be met until further fields are available.
"Athletics.—The ordinary physical training lessons provide
good opportunities for the cultivation of agility, strength and
control, and organised games develop stamina and endurance, but
success in competitive athletics to-day demands a certain degree
of specialised and intensive training beyond this ordinary accepted
standard of physical fitness. Whether it is wise to include such
training for all or any children is a debatable point, and whilst we
applaud any attempt to improve the technique of coaching, it seems
to us a grave error, fraught with real danger, to apply adult standards
and methods of training to immature growing children. The introduction
by the Walthamstow Schools' Athletic Association of a
simple set of standard tests in a variety of athletic events did much
to stimulate interest in and enhance the value of athletic training