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7
Keep Fit Classes and Recreative Physical Training.
Fourteen classes "for girls ana women and sixteen for boys and
men were established during 1938 and 1939. The training class for
women leaders continued until the summer term. At the end of the
summer term leaflets inviting school leavers to join a Keep Pit class
were distributed to the Senior, Central and Secondary Schools. A
very full programme of classes was planned for the autumn of 1939
but, owing to the outbreak of War, this had tc be abandoned.
As in former years, much encouragement in all forms of Recreative
Physical Training has been given by the Youth Organisations Committee.
Summer Play Centres. The two Summer Play Centres as described
in the report for 1938 were successfully continued this year. The
average attendance at the Lordship Recreation Ground was 200 and at
Chestnuts Park 150.
Evacuation. Tottenham evacuated school parties were dispersed
over a reception area covering eight counties. In the first days
following evacuation, while more stable educational arrangements
were being made, a great deal of useful outdoor physical activity
was carried out, arrangements having already been made before
evacuation for the dispatch from Tottenham of suitable equipment
for this purpose. The Organisers visited the reception areas for
a short time to give advice and assistance, and later sent out
detailed advice to teachers concerning the planning of the work in
restricted school accommodation.
In connection with the temporary Home Service Centres
established in Tottenham for children not evacuated, a scheme of
organised games in the parks and of swimming at the public baths
was successfully worked out. The reopening of the schools for normal
instruction was begun in December, and proceeded through the spring
term 1940, and by the middle of March compulsory full.time education
for all children of school age was introduced. The normal
curriculum in physical training has now been resumed.
CO.OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS,
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS, AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Parents are notified of the time and place at which children are
to be inspected and are invited to attend, A high percentage of
these invitations are accepted and this fact diminishes greatly the
necessity for correspondence and home visiting.
The co.operation of the Teaching Staff has once again been proved
of much value in assuring treatment for scholars and in effecting their
cleanliness.
Co.ordination between the Education Department and School Medical
Services has been continually maintained in dealing with verminous and
defective children
Voluntary Organisations. The Invalid Children's Aid Association
has been instrumental in the provision of convalescent treatment for
school children who were not suitable cases for admission to Suntrap
School and for the supply of surgical instruments to children other
than those under the care of the Education Committee's orthopaedic
surgeon. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children has proved helpful in dealing with cases of neglect and in
acquainting the School Medical Officers of any particular difficulties
with which parents or children have had to contend.
BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE, AND EPILEPTIC CHILDREN.
Except for the changes brought about by evacuation, the methods
adopted for ascertaining and dealing with children who are defective
within the meaning of Part V of the Education Act, 1927, have not
deviated from those of previous years.