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"4. Clothing.— In our first annual report (1936) we ventured
to offer the following recommendation : 'that proper gymnastic shoes
should be considered a necessary part of every child's school equipment,'
and we are, therefore, particularly pleased to note the
Committee's generous decision to provide these shoes for all school
children. The type of shoe at present in use has given very satisfactory
service, and we anticipate that a yearly issue of shoes to the
extent of approximately 80 per cent. of the school population
would suffice to maintain an adequate supply.
"'For the more advanced work of the Senior Schools we should
be satisfied with nothing less than a complete change of clothing
and the provision of showers, but we consider that, under the
present difficult conditions, the best practical solution to this
important hygienic problem has generally been found. The modern
facilities recently provided at the Wm. Morris Central School have
already had a most stimulating effect upon the work and are proving
immensely popular with the pupils.
"5. Teachers' Courses.—Courses for teachers have been
continued during the year. A course of weekly Demonstration
Lectures, extending over a period of six weeks, was given for Head
Teachers of Infants' Schools during the summer term, and this was
followed by a similar 12 weeks' course for Infant Teachers unable
to take an active part in the work. Ten Walthamstow women
teachers attended a course involving the use of apparatus, held in
Barking, and 18 teachers are at present attending a course in Central
European dancing organised by the Essex Education Committee in
Leyton. Two men and one woman physical training specialist
teachers were generously granted leave of absence in order to attend
three months' courses in Physical Education. Seven teachers are
at present attending Leaders' courses for Recreative Physical
Training, and four teachers attended a similar course during the
Christmas holidays, both courses being organised in London by the
Central Council for Recreative Physical Training.
"Nineteen Head Teachers and Physical Training specialists in
Senior Schools spent a profitable day observing various phases of
physical education in three Senior Schools in Birmingham. Teachers
too rarely enjoy the opportunity of observing their colleagues at
work.
"Forty-two men teachers attended a Games Course for nine
weekly meetings at the Billet Road Playing Field, and, with the
co-operation of the Walthamstow Schools Football Association, the
last three of these meetings were extended beyond school hours and
valuable coaching given by a well-known Football Association
coach.