SH SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— L. 



routine will lead them, are more important even than the knowledge which 

 they gain, and educational technique is being devised to fit in with this 

 tendency. In the revolt from attempts at training the powers of abstract 

 thinking in bookish ways divorced from the actual practice of the art of 

 living in a modern community, there has developed an over-emphasis on 

 ' practical ' work which is often not a * realistic ' and ' practical ' approach 

 to education, but is merely a substitute for education. 



Only as the pupil understands what it is all about and is led consciously 

 (not merely indirectly) to co-operate in a process of real education for 

 life, will the system succeed. And this cannot be left to chance, or merely 

 be expected to develop in the right atmosphere, but must become the 

 dominant note in the new technique of the Senior School, especially in the 

 additional year which is soon to be added to that life. 



Miss Ruth Dawson (11.20). 



I. The Modern Child and his Environment. 



(a) The standard of living is higher. 



(b) There is less home life. 



(c) The influence of wireless and the cinema is considerable. 



(d) There are greater facilities for travel. 



(e) The age is one of speed and noise. 

 (/) The age is one of mass production. 



{g) International relationships are strained. 



II. The Aims of the Senior Schools — as stated in the Hadow Report- 



(a) To form and strengthen character — individual and national. 



(6) To train tastes which will fill and dignify leisure. 



(c) To awaken and guide intelligence — especially on its practical side. 



III. The Senior School. 



(a) Its constitution. 



(b) Its atmosphere. 



(c) Its curriculum. 



(d) The value — or otherwise — of specialisation. 



(b) Secondary Schools. 



Dr. P. T. Freeman (11.40). 



Has society changed in fundamentals to an extent which would justify 

 abandonment of ' training ' subjects ? Need to cultivate willingness to 

 make mental effort, and respect for knowledge and truth. Some changes 

 in society call for changes in content and method in such subjects as Divinity, 

 Biology (including matters concerning sex, heredity, etc.). Civics, Physical 

 Training. Education in the use of leisure. Longer school life. 



Miss Muriel Davies (12.0). 



Our educational system and political bias. Need for unification in ranks 

 of teachers and taught. Education for social progress rather than for 

 individual advancement. The development of self-discipline through 

 freedom. Co-operation to replace competition : activity and initiative of 

 pupils further to be encouraged. Group system. Manual work. Distinc- 

 tions between home work and school work should be abolished. School as 

 club for past and present pupils. 



(Discussion continued on Monday) 



