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Figure 1.--. |
One common thread at most prep schools is the consistent focus on acafemics and the stress on the cote subjects of literacy and numeracy. This focus does to an extent make for a certain standaridization and lack of divrsity in the schedle. Headmasters try to ensure that the class room routein are mainatained so that the teachers can achieve their academic objectives. That said, we were impressed by the range of activities that are offered to the children. Some schools have features and facilities more associated with summer camps or holiday parks. Nost schools now give much greater attention to recretion than was the case in earlier periods. Sport has always been important at these schools. And while sport is important to many children, not all children are sports minded. The schools now offer an activities and recreation program that appeals to virtually all children.
I attended my prep school in the 1950s. I started when I was 8 years old and ledt school after turning 13 for my public school. I boarded for all the time I was there. In fact almost ll of us were boarders. I recall the class work and the sports. I got a first-class education there and was well prepared for my public school. I was far from a sportsman, but emjoyed most of the sports although I felt at the time there was rather a lot of it. It has been quite a time since my schooldays, so my memory is a bit fuzzy especially on my early years. But one impression I still have was one of boredom and tedium. There was not a lot of recreation outside of sports and one day was rather like another. I have been interested in reading your eBooks to find the range of activities now available at the schools and the attention now given to leisure and recreation for the children.
Peter Watson
It may be just my imagination, and the term's Calendar could prove me wrong, but every year seems to have more events packed into it than the previous one and certainly 1977/78 proved no exception to this. I never cease to wonder how it can be done without both staff and boys dropping down with exhaustion long before the ebnd of term! Perhaps the staff's batteries need more recharching in the holidays than the boys. I've always said that the long school holidays were 'invented' for the benefit of the staff, not the boys!
Michael Floyd, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1978
Music, Drama and Art, so important in developing self-expression, and are given every encouragement. .... Other activities are well provided for: there is a darkroom for photography; a printing press; Recorder Goup; Countryside Club; Needlework Group; an Adventure Club; Railway Club; Modeling Club; Chess Club; and so on. Badminton, Squash, Billiards and Table Tennis are very popular, and girls may also learn Ballet. Visits ae made to museums, concerts, evets in local centres and nearby cities.
Bromsgrove School Prospectus
If a boy has no aptitude or inclination for sport or music, he may find stimulation and interest in one or more of the School's many socities. Among the most popular of these are the Natuarla History Society which has recently been provided with its own room, the Coin Club, the Stamp Clun, the Mathematics Club and the Photographic Society. The last is particularly well equipped and teaches developing, printing and enlarging , as well as the basic use of cameras and meters. Those who are keen on pottery or woodwork can spend extra time on these pursuits in and out-of-school hours and access is also allowed under supervision to the Ipper School's Technical Activities Centre. There ia a lively interest in drama. Productions are presented each winter both by boys and staff.
Clifton College Preparatory School Prospectus
