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6
OPEN AIR EDUCATION.
I am indebted tc the Director of Education for the information
supplied under the following headings
Open.Air Classes. Until the end of the summer term the Open.
Air Class was continued in the Annexe at Risley Avenue .School with an
average attendance of 28,
Early in the year arrangements were made for the children to
have a midday rest under supervision, and the afternoon session was
shortered to end at 4.0 pm. Measures to increase the beneficial
results of the class were under active consideration during the
summer term, and if schools had opened normally; at the em Of
August^ there would then have been two classes cf juniors in special
accommodation in the now Lancasterian School building.
During the summer term a second Open.Air Class, with an average
attendance of 22, was held in the bandstand in Downhills Park,
School, Journeys.
Journey other than to Suntrap School For the year 1939
expenditure on School Journey's not exceeding £445 was agreed to
by the Education Committee and approved by the Board of Education.
Twelve schools organised Journeys.
Journeys to Suntrap School. The Committee approved a programme
of six School Journeys to Suntrap School, organised on similar lines
to those of 1938, and parties, each consisting of 20 pupils and two
teachers, were sent for a fortnight.
The children were selected by the Head Teachers concerned from
the 13 . 14 age group on the basis of their ability to profit by
such a Journey, The parents of each child selected were asked to
contribute a sum of five shillings towards the cost, provided that
no child was prevented from going through inability to pay.
The Committee allocated, in respect cf each party undertaking
the Journey, a sum of £25 to cover the cost of transport to and
from the School, housing and feeding the children, and incidental
expenses of the teachers in charge, and this was approved by the
Board of Education.
Physical Education.
Continuance under war conditions.
Although the outbreak of war has affected the work in physical
education as in all other educational activities, it has been possible,
by careful adaptation to the circumstances, tc continue to give some
form of physical training tc all school children whether in the
reception areas or in Tottenham.
Provision of Gymnasia.
The four gymnasia approaching completion on the outbreak of war
have now been successfully completed and fully equipped. In the
organisation and staffing of these school buildings now re.opened
for full.time instruction, careful attention has been given to
physical education and the gymnasia are in full.time use. With the
exception of two schools where the building of gymnasia has been
temporarily held up by the war, full gymnastic facilities, with kit
stores, changing rooms, and shower baths, have been provieded for all
senior children in the Borough. The provision of suitable shoes and
clothing, in accordance with the terms of the Board of Education
Circular 1450, is now proceeding.
Courses for Teachers.
In preparation for the use of gymnasia, suitable courses for teachers
have been given by the Organisers of Physical Education, To overcome
the serious difficulty caused by the call to the Forces of men teachers
below the age of reservation, a course in gymnastic work has been
planned for suitable men teachers over the age of reservation. During
the summer term 1939, an outdoor course in organised games for women
teachers was held. In addition several teachers have been assisted
by the•Authority to attend either the Board's term Courses for
Serving Teachers cr the third year course in physical training.