Figure 1.-Computers have become an important element of the modern school. There are wide variations in how schools are equipped and how computers are used. Most English schools have at least one computer room, depending on the size of the school. A reader writes, "It seems strange seeing the boys in this photograph wearing brown shorts rather than the traditional grey or navy blue as part of their uniform. I wonder why the school didn't use a brown blazer with say yellow piping, which I feel would have looked better than the blue blazers they are wearing." HBC note: Computers can play tricks on colors. The boys here are wearing grey short trousers

Schools spons0r a wide range of other activities, including basketry, carpentry, chess, choir, computers, cooking, debate, dramatics, electronics, fishing, model building, music, railroading, rilfelry, and much more. The activities offer depend in part on the type of school. Some of these activities are associated with the academic program. Other activies are extra-curricular activities which are given varying degrees of emphasis at different schools. Some of these events required some specialized gear. The boys for others more associated with classroom activities commonly just wore their everyday school uniform. Some classess such as sciuence or art may require some sirt of smock or protective clothing.

Art

Computers

Computers have become an important element of the modern school. There are wide variations in how schools are equipped and how computers are used. Many English schools by the 1980s had a computer room, depending on the size of the school. The image here shows the school computer room (gfigure 1). Increasingly computers as costs have declined are being introduced to individual classrooms. Here educators are still working with how to best use the computer in the classroom.

Dance

Dance has been a part of the curriculum in British schools. It is not as important as other fine arts, especially art. Drama is usually done as a kind of school projdect--the school or class play. Drama does receive some attention at English schools, especially at the primary level. The emphasis has varied over time. There are various ways dance is approached in the schools. There used to be a motion curriculum for younger children. May pole dancing was popular. Dance is offered as an extra or an activity. Normally it is the girls who are intersted. Older students receive lessons in social dancing. This is sometimes done during gym class.

Drama

Drama is an important activity at many British schools. Here this varies greatly from school ti school. It seems to be an activity persued more at private than state schools. Much dependended on the interests and talents of the teachers involved. Drama can be persued both as a classroom activity or a subject in itself. Primary schools have the greatest flexibility here. Teachers might organize informal skits as part of a learning activity. Secondary teachers study Shakepere and other literature might also organize informal skits or readings. Some scondary schools have drama programs. Many schools also organize school plays as an important extra-curicular activity. Tese plays are very important events at some schools. One interesting aspect of school drama is that boys are often attracted by some of the rechnical aspects such as lighting, sound, as well as the media mechanics such as video recording.

Drill

Drill in the 19th century and early 20th century was commonly used as part of the program. Both the exercise and discipline was considered to be good for the children. Both boys and girls did drill. We see children during drill through the 1930s. We note children at the Douglas School, probably in the 1920s. Drill became less common after World War II.

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Created: November 3, 2003
Last updated: 7:35 PM 4/12/2007