Organisation, Curriculum, and Standard of Work (continued)

HANDICRAFT AND TECHNICAL DRAWING (continued)

opportunity to continue with a single craft, which a number eventually offer for external examination at ordinary level.

Groups of sixth-form pupils spend two periods each week in the workshop, from which they derive considerable satisfaction although, because of the limited character of their introductory course, many have not acquired the skills which enable them to make the most of this. A metalwork club which meets out of school hours attracts some boys who otherwise have no opportunity beyond the second form for craftwork.

Two masters share the teaching. One, who has overall responsibility, is an experienced and able teacher. The other, in his first year, has made a promising start. The workshops are well organised, the boys respond well to the painstaking and thoughtful teaching. and commensurate with the time available they achieve acceptable results.

The technical drawing associated with the crafts is, inevitably in the circumstances, geared rather narrowly to examination requirements. Some fifth-form pupils (often those who have dropped a foreign language, although unfortunately not all at the same time) are able to devote additional time to technical drawing. Several take the examination in geometrical and mechanical drawing at ordinary level. A small group in the sixth form have commenced a course in engineering drawing.

MUSIC

In this growing school the teaching and co-ordination of all the musical work is carried out officially in 17 periods weekly by one talented and devoted young music master. The only alleviation comes either through the instrumental teaching, over and above his own violin class teaching, for which a number of visiting instructors are engaged, or through the practical help of the headmaster and a number of the teaching staff connected with the extra-curricular activities.

The limited teaching time has been apportioned as wisely as possible. New entrants have a reasonable time-allocation. The two small groups who hope to offer the subject as an option in the external examination enjoy only a minimum time-allowance, and small groups in the lower and middle sixth forms may choose to attend a non-examinable course. For the main body of pupils in the middle school no tuition is available.

All the lessons seen were stimulating, varied, and planned to help the pupils at their various stages. Clearly the boys gain confidence and pleasure from the lessons, but the circumstances make a truly satisfactory grammar-school course impossible. Classes meet in the school hall, where the acoustic properties are a hindrance to successful teaching. Here also there are no writing facilities nor is musical equipment readily available. Therefore, the atmosphere obtainable when a well-arranged music room exists cannot be produced.

In the face of these difficulties music has made its mark on the life of the school in a remarkable way. A mixed-voice choir meets regularly. Instrumental work includes a main and a junior orchestra and some opportunity for chamber music. 

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