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English schools had gym or physical education (PE) programs beginning in the 19th century. We are not sure just when they were first introduced. England lagged behind America, Germany, and Scotland in founding a public (state) education system. The impetus for gym clsses came from European countries like Germany, Sweden, and England. The idea of gym was probably well established before many English schools were founded. Although early gym programs may have been primarily drill. This has changed over time. The program and the uniforms varied not only over time, but also according to the type of school. Often primary schools did not have gym uniforms. An exception here were private primary schools such as preparatory schools. Most secondary schools had a general gym uniform used for a wide variety of sports and athletics. this was not always the case. We notice some schools which just had to boys take off their shirts and put on plymsols. Sometimes they did not even use plymsols. Most secondary schools, especially by the 1950s, had a gym uniform for a variety of activities. Private schools almost always had gym uniforms.
English schools had gym or physical education (PE) programs beginning in the 19th century. We are not sure just when they were first introduced. England lagged behind America, Germany, and Scotland in founding a public (state) education system. The impetus for gym classes,however, came from European countries like Germany, Sweden, and England. The idea of school xports was largely developed in England, nostly at public (private) schools. This was something the students themselves developed and not promoted by school administrations until Dr. Thomas Arnold at Rugby School began promoting the concept of Muscular Christianity. Gym classes were mostly gymnastics and drill. Only slowly did sports began to be seen as an appropriate part of gym vlasses. The Board of Education decree sports acceptable. Gym classes were primarily for the boys. Some girls in state primaries were included in drill, but gym eventually became seem as more suitable for girls. Her the focus was on posture and beauty, The 1869 Endowment Schools Act was a major step in establish a state education system. The idea of gym or st least was probably well established before many English state primary schools were founded. The Boer War shocked many British officials when it was found the large number of men who were not found fit for military service. Officials declared that that �physical training in elementary schools, should not be less and cannot well be more, than a preparation for the more specialized forms of physical training which may properly be undertaken at a later age,� The Fisher Education Act of 1918 was another msjor strp. Holiday and school camps were organized. Centers and equipment were obtined for gym classes. Other facilities for day or evening social and physical training were organized. Worl War II fisrupted the educatiinal system. Children were evacuated. New equipment was unavailable. Many gym teachers went into the Servives. The Education Education of 1944 fundamentally reformned the English education system. It provided the basius for expanding the secondary system so that any child could attend ruition free secondary schools. These new secondary schools has required gym classes, more dicused than the primary schools that the children had attended.
Although early gym programs may have been primarily drill. This has changed over time. The program and the uniforms varied not only over time, but also according to the type of school.
Often primary schools did not have gym uniforms. An exception here were private primary schools such as preparatory schools. Most secondary schools had a general gym uniform used for a wide variety of sports and athletics. this was not always the case. We notice some schools which just had to boys take off their shirts and put on plymsols. Sometimes they did not even use plymsols. Most secondary schools, especially by the 1950s, had a gym uniform for a variety of activities. Private schools almost always had gym uniforms.
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