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Premises at the Jubilee Retreat, Chingford, became available
in July and were used by parties from most of the Special Schools.
10. PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The Committee shares the services of two whole-time Organisers
with a neighbouring area. Co-operation has continued along
the lines of previous years.
Disinfection of Gymnasium Shoes.—Disinfection by the application
of a powder followed by dry heat, and referred to in last
year's report, was found to be not satisfactory.
After considerable trial, a method was evolved by which shoes
were left in contact for 60 minutes with formaldehyde vapour in the
central chamber of a steam disinfector. Sufficient steam was admitted
to produce a slightly humid atmosphere, and no damage
was apparently done to the material.
Bacteriological tests were satisfactory.
Swimming.—The following report has been contributed by
L. E. Last, Esq., the Organiser of Physical Education: —
Introduction.—The promotion of education in swimming has
been the declared policy of the Ministry of Education for at least
20 years, and the undoubted value of swimming as an exercise for
health and development entitles it to rank high as part of the
normal physical training of every medically fit child. The most
outstanding feature of the development of school swimming during
the post war years has been a real improvement in facilities due
(a) to the generous co-operation of the Principal of the South-West
Essex Technical College, whereby the College Bath is now available
for classes from the South-West Essex Technical School, the
Sir George Monoux Grammar School and the Walthamstow High
School daily from 9.00 a.m.—4.00 p.m., and until noon on Saturday
(b) to the more liberal provision of transport by school buses,
and (c) the appointment of two fully qualified specialist swimming
teachers.
Organisation of School Classes.—With few exceptions school
swimming classes are organised on a voluntary basis, and under
existing staffing regulations, this selection of pupils creates obvious
difficulties. The increase in available weekly pupil-places
from 2,900 in 1939 to 3,800 in 1952 suggests that consideration
might now be given to the possibility of treating swimming as an
integral part of the curriculum for the last year in Junior and the
first year in Secondary Schools. Our aim must be to produce the
maximum number of swimmers and there is a very real need for
the provision of an additional bath specially designed with a large
shallow water area for use during the initial stage of instruction.
Good relationships have been established by the specialist and
visiting class teachers, the majority of whom are able to render