Clarke (1948)

Clarke Report 1948 (text)


The Clarke Report (1948)
Out of School

Report of the Central Advisory Council for Education (England)

London: His Majesty's Stationery Office 1948
© Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.


Background notes

Historical context

The 1944 Education Act provided for two Central Advisory Councils for Education (one for England, one for Wales) 'to advise the Minister upon such matters connected with educational theory and practice as they think fit, and upon any questions referred to them by him' (1944 Act, Section 4(1)). These Councils replaced the Consultative Committee which had existed since the beginning of the century.

CACE produced its first report School and Life in 1947. Out of School followed a year later.

Sir Fred Clarke (1880-1952) was Director of the London Institute of Education from 1936 until his retirement in 1945. His professional career was very wide-ranging, including periods of teaching at universities in Canada and South Africa. He also undertook numerous advisory and committee roles with, for example, the National Union of Teachers, the British Council and the National Foundation for Educational Research.

Summary of the report's main recommendations

  • the Minister should urge local education authorities to increase and improve facilities for children's out of school play and recreation;
  • local education authorities should be asked to set up out of school sub-committees to plan and supervise the provision of facilities for the use of school children in their free time. Such committees should include representatives of voluntary bodies, teachers, parents and others;
  • in constituting out of school committees and in carrying out the policy outlined in these recommendations, local education authorities should have regard to the powers and duties of authorities responsible, for example, for libraries, playing fields, swimming baths and other amenities;
  • grants towards the expenses of voluntary bodies serving the out of school interests of school children should be at least as generous as those given to voluntary organisations taking part in the Youth Service;
  • each committee should survey its area to ascertain what provision already exists, to estimate what further provision and improvements are needed, and to prepare plans;
  • both paid and unpaid workers, some whole-time and some part-time, should take part in the work and should be chosen carefully;
  • training courses for workers should be arranged by local education authorities and/or other competent bodies. Paid workers should be required to undertake training, voluntary workers should be encouraged to do so;
  • as part of their Adult Education provision, local education authorities should arrange for parents' courses, demonstrations and film shows dealing with the development and interests of children;
  • conveniently placed sites and open spaces should be secured for providing facilities, and a greater variety of materials and equipment should be provided to serve the diverse interests of children;
  • the Minister should take steps to bring library facilities within reach of all children and to ensure good and sufficient accommodation and the appointment of suitably qualified staff;
  • the Arts Council and other appropriate bodies should be invited to provide concerts, plays and exhibitions for children out of school hours.

The report online

The complete report, including the eight photographic plates, is presented in a single web page.

I have corrected a dozen or so printing errors. Blank pages have been omitted.

The above notes were prepared by Derek Gillard and uploaded on 7 May 2012.