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(a) Primary Schools.—The scheme should include four
main types of activity, viz., normal syllabus lessons, dances, games,
and for the 9-11 age groups swimming, but in too many schools the
work is still restricted to the official syllabus lessons. The provision
of strong but simple apparatus for such natural suspension exercises,
as hanging and swinging would do much to eradicate postural
defects due to poor shoulder girdle and upper back development.
The welcome return of a few men teachers from H.M. Forces has
already improved the virility, the work and the games training, in
some of the boys' classes.
(b) Secondary Schools.—There is need here too for a more
comprehensive scheme with more emphasis on exercise in the open
air. Journeys and expeditions which should include camping,
walking or cycling and a wider range of similar activities with a
post-school appeal, would encourage a life in the open air. This,
however, does not minimise the importance of providing sufficient
gymnasia and staff adequately trained to make full use of the
gymnasium equipment. Features of the work calling for special
mention are:—
(1) Dancing.—This forms an important branch of physical
education and should receive a place in all schemes of training,
not only does it help to train the body, mind and spirit but it provides
an outlet for free expression. All children love to dance and nearly
all get satisfaction from their performance.
Music plays an important part in the teaching of dancing, and
if we hope to obtain self-expression work from the children, we
must have creative work from the pianist and the present use of a
gramophone for teaching purposes is a very unsatisfactory substitute,
(2) Games.—Realising the educational, social and health
promoting values of our national games we regret under war-time
conditions so many children left the Walthamstow schools without
acquiring sufficient games skill or pleasure in vigorous out-door
exercise to desire to continue as active players.
A successful Games Course, conducted by Miss K. M. Couper.
at the North Walthamstow Sports Field, included sound coaching
in fundamental games skills of particular value to teachers in
primary schools. This was followed by an enjoyable Rounders Rally
which attracted a good entry of 48 teams from schools and Youth
Clubs.
The restoration of better playing field facilities resulted
in a marked improvement in the standard of winter games,