THE STRATFORD SCHOOL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 95, 24 April 1915, Page 3

THE STRATFORD SCHOOL.

SECONDARY DEPARTMENT. The following report was preseutedi to tlu* School Committee on Thursday night by the inspector (.Mr T. 11. (Mil)i on the secondary department ol the| High School;— Inspected .Miircli I. o, I), 191.). Stall:' Mr E. Tyrer (D), Headmaster; Mr E. J Bowler. B.A. ; Mr M. Tliompsoii. M.A. ; Miss Kditli Jackson, M.A.: Miss E. Toonmn. B.A. ; -Miss .Jessiej (Jordon, 8.A.; Miss Amy (lernlioelerj partial B.), and visiting teachers lor • pecial subjects. Roll: Buys SKI, girls 77—170; pre-j .ent; boys 1)1, girls i •> —Kill. Oi the :otal enrolment, 10 pupils hold senior tree places, 120 junior tree places, and s pay lees because they are over age. lixteeu tree place pupils hold scholarships as follows: —Education Hoard senior, (i; Education Board Junior, 8; junior National, “2. From the subjects of instruction, •onsisting of Euglisli, Latin, Frencii. algebra, geometry, trigonometry, liisory, geography, physical science, hemistry, botany, agriculture, dair\ uieiu-e, mensuration and elementary uirvoying, farm carjKmtry, ironwork, ookery, hygiene and laundry work, two definite courses have boon arranged: (At A general course for pup Is wiio intend to enter one of the professions (including teaching); and (H) a rural course for boys who will ultimately become farmers and lor girls whose objective is not professional work. The courses have been arranged Lo enable pupils taking either ol them to qualify for the Public Service o: commercial life if desired. The numbers are as follows:—A, 91 ;B, 79. Classification of tho Pupils.—Pupils are classified according to their average attainments, and, in general, remain in the same form for all subjects. Special arrangements, however, are made in the case ol pupils who' ai\ much above or below the average in foreign languages or mathematics. A certain amount of regrouping is necessary in subjects common to both courses, but this has been wisely done b\ the headmaster. The numbers in tin various forms are as follows: 111 A.—Boys 19, girls 9—28. 111 B.—Hoys 18, girls 22—40. IV A.—Boys .17, girls 1-1—.31. IV. B.—Boys 1-1, girls 1.3—27. V. A.—Boys 17. girls 9 —20. V. B.—Boys 1. girls B—l2.8 —12. VL.—Boys 4, girls 2—o.

Organisation.—To every form a form master or mistress is assigned, who teaches a substantial proportion of the work, and is responsible for the general progress and conduct ol the pupils, and the amount and distribution oi home lessons among the various subjects. In science, however, and the work of the highest forms the head master makes lull use ol the special qualifications of the memberes of his staff.

In general, sound methods oi' ini struction were employed with a degree of skill varying I'rom fair to very good, depending ehietly on the expehenci of the teachers. The aim appeared ti 'be to encourage thoughtfulness ant. cultivate self-reliance. One ol tin. most pleasing features of all the work which came under my notice was the earnest, thorough, forceful charactei of the teaching, and the steady, persistent application of the pupils generally, who seemed to recognise clearly the value of secondary education. The spirit of intense earnestness which prevailed and which was especially noticeable in the highest forms made ample amends for any defects in technical skill in the teaching of the subjects; and the criticism which follows must not in any way he regarded as detracting from the meritorious character of the work as a whole. The Headmaster is deeply interested in the work of the secondary department, and spares no pains to make the organisation and teaching elective. English is taught in a methodical, systematic manner, and the literature is used to reinforce the language lessons. 1 would recommend the use of simpler, more homely illustrations iu the explanation of diflicult passages of literature. Latin is carefully taught in all divisions and satisfactory progress is being made. An easy reading book should he introduced iu the lowest division as soon as possible. French is taught to some extent by the direct method, but more oral practice is required and loss reliance on the text hook in the questions and answers iu French. French is taught only to pupils iu their second and subsequent years. 1 think it would ho advisable to teach two ioreigu languages only to pupils of good linguistic capacity. Tile average hoy or girl will hud one foreign language a heavy enough load. 1 would recommend more practical work iu geometry, especially to pupils in their first] year. The teacher of domestic science I (.Miss (.srant) has prepared a suitable course for three years, in which prac-j ticai work occupies an important place.) "'lie Hoard of Education lias placed at I the disposal of the rural classes two acres of laud within easy reach of the school. It is proposed to carry out all work on this plot under actual farm conditions. It is intended to use one acre for carrying out experiments with manures, root crops, etc., and to devote the other acre to experiments suggested by the local Farmers’ Association. The order, attention, and conduct I of the pupils wei'e very good. There was abundant evidence of a splendid; spirit of work and a fine tone. Physical education receives the following attention: the hoys play tennis, 1 cricket, football, and hockey, aro taught swimming in the school baths, arc drilled as cadets and have deep breathing and other physical exercises; the girls play tennis and hockey, receive instruction in swimming, and are taught Swedish drill and organised games.