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grateful for all that has been done during the past year, and realise
that it is very difficult to solve this problem without creating fresh
difficulties with regard to the claims of other subjects. In one or
two cases younger teachers are also required to relieve older members
of the staff in the Junior Schools.
"3. Teachers' Courses.—We acknowledge with thanks the
continued permission to hold these classes during school hours.
These classes often demand strenuous physical effort from teachers
unaccustomed to regular vigorous activity and would lose much of
the value if undertaken by tired and jaded teachers during the
evening. It has been a real pleasure to conduct classes for such
enthusiastic and responsive teachers. We much appreciate the
readiness of the Committee in granting teachers leave of absence to
attend special courses. In order to make safe and effective use of
the extended facilities provided in a fully equipped gymnasium,
the teacher will require a high degree of technical training, impossible
to provide by means of local courses. Last year, 14 teachers
attended vacation courses in physical training, an indication of
the growing interest in, and enthusiasm for, this subject.
"4. Swimming.—We realise that the Committee is fully
aware of the urgent necessity for making extra provision for
swimming instruction. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise
and is rightly regarded as an important part of the child's physical
education. Under ideal conditions every child from the age of 10
would be given a regular weekly swimming lesson throughout the
school year. In Walthamstow this would involve making provision
for 5,500 children per week. At present, excellent use is made
of the two days on which the bath is available, but with the most
carefully planned time-table it is impossible to accommodate more
than 600 girls and 600 boys per week. These children are allowed
20 minutes in the water, but in actual practice, owing to unavoidable
delays and limited changing accommodation, this period is
often seriously reduced. Under the present difficult conditions
attendance is wisely restricted to non-swimmers, but it is quite
impossible for the one specialist teacher to deal effectively with
50 beginners. The majority of teachers attending the bath with
the children are keen and capable swimmers, but with a better
knowledge of the recognised class-methods of instruction they could
give much more effective assistance to the specialist teacher. Every
minute of the very limited time at the bath should be devoted to
progressive water practices, and the necessary 'land drill' should
lie carried out as part of the normal physical training at school.
More emphasis should be given to acquiring style and correct movement
rather than speed or distance.
(Note by S.M.O.—Your Committee is giving consideration to
the question of providing a swimming bath for the use of children
attending Public Elementary Schools.)