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12. OPEN AIR BOARDING SCHOOL EDUCATION
During the year four boys were medically examined prior to
returning at each term to Elmbridge Boys' School, Cranleigh,
Surrey, and a further 14 boys and girls received examinations before
proceeding to Kennylands Park School, Reading, Berks, for the
Spring, Summer and Autumn terms.
Premises at the Jubilee Retreat have again been used by parties
from most of the Special Schools.
13. PHYSICAL TRAINING
The Committee shares the services of two whole-time Organisers
with two neighbouring areas. Co-operation has continued
along the lines of previous years.
Physical Education in Primary Schools.—Miss G. G. Powell,
Physical Training Organiser, reports as follows:—
"Possibly no subject in the primary schools curriculum has
changed so completely during the last few years as has physical
activity, a change summed up so well in the use of the new name
Physical Education in place of the old Physical Training or Drill.
This newer type of work is based upon the natural desires of a
young child to run, to leap, to climb, and all traces of military drill
seem at last to have disappeared.
"Simple compensatory exercises, remedial in character, are
still included to compensate for the limitations on growth and
development due to the unnatural conditions imposed on young
children by life in large cities, but children are encouraged to work
to their own rhythm and pace, to be responsible for their own
efforts and to co-operate in small groups rather than to stand in four
straight lines and work in class unison to the teacher's commands.
A large part of the time available is spent in the practice of agility
movements including the use of simple climbing apparatus,
designed to develop skill, speed, strength and dexterity, and to give
opportunity for a wide range of experience. Such methods help to
develop self-confidence, initiative and inventiveness. In addition,
each child is enabled to work at his or her own pace, thus in a large
class the slower pupil does not feel discouraged, nor need the teacher
hold back those who are more skilful.
" This change has been greatly encouraged by the publication
by the Ministry of Education of two books—Moving and Growing
(1952) and Planning the Programme (1953)—which replace the
Board of Education's Syllabus of Physical Training (1933) and
which give much practical help to the teacher attempting new
methods. The Committee's Organisers of Physical Education have
taken training courses for Walthamstow teachers at which these
new methods of teaching have been demonstrated and discussed,
and are planning another such course for the summer of 1955.