Figure 1.--Here boys on their lunch break enjoy a game of cricket. Some boys play others while ohers in the background play as they eat their lunch. |
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HBC has archived several thousand school images. Many of these images are portraits or class photographs. There are, however, also many images showing the children at school involved in a range of activities. Schools around the world have pursued prgramswith widely varied attitudes toward non-academic activities. And attitudes in each country toward these activities have varied over time. We have worked on the school activities in several of the country school sections. Most American high schools have extensive extra-curricular programs. English schools have given condiderable attention to sports, but this has been the private schools more than the public schools. They are now common in many other countries. American schools, however still tend to have more extensive extra-curricular programs than is the case in Europe. French schools continue, for example, to have a fundamentaly academic focus.
We note a wide range of activities and events at American school. The classroom of course is the hear of the school. This is where most of the klearning takes places and is therefore the most important section when we address school activities. Many are similar to other schools around the world. Other activities are quite destinctive to the United States. American children until recently for the most part did not wear school uniforms. Images of children goung and coming to school and in classes for the most part reflect popular styles and fashion conventions of the era. There were, however, some destinctive clothing for certain activities, especially gym in secondary schools.
There are a wide range of activities conducted at school, both inside and outside the classroom. Many of these activities required a specaialized uniform or sports gear. English schools, especially the private schools probably had more elaborate uniforms and specialized schoolwear than any other country. The school regulations varies over time and among the many different types of schools. Many schools had a dress uniform worn on Sunday or special school events. During regular school days a less elaborate uniform was worn. At some schools boys would come to schools in their blazers, but just wear their jumpers while in class. Some class room activities like art or science might require some sort of protective gear. Quite a number of schools sponsored youth group units such as Scouts. Some secondary schools had Cadet units. Many schools had a gym uniform. There was a variety of specialized uniform for various team sports.
We do not have a great deal of information yet on French school activities. Most of the images we have been able to find are class or school portraits. We also have a few classroom and playground scenes. We have been able to find fewer images of school activities beyond academic classroom scenes. We believe that this is in part a reflection of the nature of French schools. The French school system is highly focused on academics. We know far fewer extra-curricular activities than Americans associate with school. We do not notice the same programs for dance, music, sports, and other activities. One factor limiting school activities is that students, at least at the secondary (lycee) level received a substantial home work load leaving less time for extra-curricular activities that American students have.
School activities were limited in German primary schools. There were activities in secondary school, but they varied from school to school and the type of secondary school. Secondary schools had required gym classes. Many schools had an orchestra and school choir. This was optional, but there were required music classes. Many children pursued activities and courses outside of school, A HBC reader, Hans, tells us that in the 1940s-50s he took astronomy, natural sciences, typewriting and stenography, and some additional English. He tells us that his son several decaded later took private instrumental lessons and played in the orcestra at his Gymnasium. He also loined a private sports club outside of school to learn tennis. In Germany today, activities outside school are a controversial topic. The state schools offer a range of activities, but many children (and their parents) are not much interested in these ativities. Interested families organise activities privately (and usually pay for it). Mothers very often end up becoming "Taxi mothers". Some politicians argue against this support offered by better situated families to their children. Activities like religious courses, chess, ballet, folklore dancing, etc are possible everywhere. The institutions and clubs are eager to get youth members. Most of these organisations do not like the trend set up by politicians that children have to go to school all day round from the morning to the late afternoon leaving no time for private activities.
There are a wide range of activities conducted at school, both inside and outside the classroom. Many of these activities required a specaialized uniform or sports gear. Scottish schools, especially the private schools probably had more elaborate uniforms and specialized schoolwear than any other country. The school regulations varies over time and among the many different types of schools. Many schools had a dress uniform worn on Sunday or special school events. During regular school days a less elaborate uniform was worn. At some schools boys would come to schools in their blazers, but just wear their jumpers while in class. Some class room activities like art or science might require some sort of protective gear. Quite a number of schools sponsored youth group units such as Scouts. Some secondary schools had Cadet units. Many schools had a gym uniform. There was a variety of specialized uniform for various team sports.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Late 19th century]
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[The 1930s]
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Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]
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