The Development of

Physical Education

It’s not what it used to be!!!!

Mob Football Early Rugby

Physical Education was used by headmasters to gain and maintain social order.

Boys felt they had a ‘right to play’ Caused breakdowns in control Frequented ale houses and involved in

poor behaviour

Schools were a harsh environment .

Masters had much distaste for rowdy behaviour

Beatings were common.

Fagging – beck and call

Thomas Arnold Headmaster of Rugby

School 1828-1841 Established purposeful

recreation Channelled energies Emphasis on Team

Games – agent of social control

Promoted Christian Values

Manliness - Taught leadership, loyalty, obedience, integrity, dignity and fair play.

Thomas Hughes

Tom Brown’s School Days 1857

A Pupil at Rugby during Arnold’s headship

Help found the National Olympian Association (1866)

Amateur Athletic Club

Introduction of rules

Games had to change to become acceptable. Essential to social control – eliminate rowdiness. Christian ethic of fair play – honourable to play

to the rules. Captains held in great esteem – role models for

other boys

Sport and Oxbridge

Development of rationalised sport progressed from schools to universities

Schools had problems with localised rules Games played in agreement – two halves, two

sets of rules. National Standardisation had to take place Oxford and Cambridge Oxbridge ‘Melting Pot’ The Football Association (1863) The Rugby Football Union (1871) Rules emerged from discussions and

developments at ‘Oxbridge’

Military approach to Physical Education During Queen Victoria’s reign(1819-1901) British

Empire involved in number of conflicts. Army looked to public schools to fulfil needs for

officers. Meeting called by Lord Elcho in 1860 at

Thatched House Tavern to discuss introduction of drill into schools.

Establishment of Officer Training Corps

Archibald MacLaren

His involvement and intervention gave emphasis to the development of the physical rather than purely militaristic.

Gymnast Trained instructors Made Gymnastic staff from army officers Influential in building Gymnasium