Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
Note that games is considered by most schools to be an important part of the curriculum. Games are of course an activity, but they are of such importance that we have created a special section for them. Most English prep schools continue to place a considerable emphasis on physical activity and sport, or games as they are commonly called. The greatest emphasis is placed on the major team sports, football, rugby, and cricket. Many non-team sports are also encouraged. At some schools the emphasis is on physical fitness. The headmaster at Hill House in London , for example, believes that "there is. no point in teaching a boy to read and write until he can swim. If a boy is physicall fit, he is never ill. You need to tire any normal boy a bit if you want him to sit down and work at English, French, mathematics and science." Many schools are convinced that sports are an important character-building experience and that success and discipline on the sports field can improve a child's to confidence in approaching academics and other challenges. Often games are seenas building leadership skills. AsTwford explains, games are taught so that the children "may appreciate the importance of a healthy body, ... learn to serve his side or school team, and be taught the lesson of leadership ..." rather than for "the doubtful blessings of athletic reputation." As a result, pysical education is part of the curiculum. Many schools prepare a physical fitness profile that a child takes to his or her Public School. The profile records aptitude and achievements in games and sports as well as other physical activities such as skiing trips, camping, and outward bound expeditions.
... the childrem have been as fit as fleas and I doubt if the "off games list" has ever been shorter in an autumn term. However, it has no escaped that one or two day children hve managed to persuade their parents into sending Matron a note putting them off-games when something particularly rigorous or vigorous is in the offing, and the next day they are suddenly fighting fit again! "I don't feel like it so can I be off games?." "Yes, all right, dear." This is destructive of character-training and positiveky encouraging a lack of moral fibre!"
"Harecroft Hall Newsletter," Decenber 1988.
The lower forms have a weekly gym period, and for all boys there are organised games three days a week. All games are coached. In the autumn soccer is played: in the spring there is Rugby football, soccer and cross country: and in the summer cricket, tennis and cross country. All boys are taught to swimand there is an all weather play area used for cricket nets, tennis, basket-ball, soccer kick-abouts and general recreation.
Brigtlands Preparatory School Prospectus
Cricket and rugby are the main team games. Older boys also play hockey in the Spring Term. Thorough coaching in the basic principles of these games and all necessary equipment is provided. Matches are played against other schools. All boys have two sessions of games and two sessions Physical education each week. Physical Education takes place in th gym or in the open air and a proper grounding in all the usual agilities including box-work. There are opportunities for boys to play basketball, rounders and volley-ball. Basic instruction is given in most athletic skills including such field events as a discus, shot and javelon. Swimming instruction is given once a week to all boys during the SummerTerm and we are able to use our neighbor's indoor pool during the winter months. We have had a fair amount of success in local swimming galas in recent years.
Beech Hill Prospectus
All children have ... at least two periods of Physical Education, which includes gymnastics, swimming, etc. .... The Lower School has its own playing fields, )adjoining the buildings) and plays a full list of fixtures against other schools. The main sports are Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Hockey and Netball. There are school teams in all these, but the main aim is for children to enjoy their games and to develop their skills in ther own ability groups. Coaching is also given in Tennis on two hard courts and full use is made of the Physical Education and indoor sports facilities of the new Sports hall in te Upper School grounds.
Bromsgrove School Prospectus
