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Children's Literature in Education

, Volume 44, Issue 4, pp 345–358 | Cite as

Elinor M. Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School Series: Literature as an Historical Source

  • Clare Lidbury
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

This article examines whether Elinor M. Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School books—a series of girls’ school stories spanning the late 1920s to the early 1970s—can be regarded as historical sources for the study of physical education and dance in girls’ boarding schools during this period. An overview of her experience as teacher and headmistress, an examination of the training and role of PE teachers during this time, and observations on the role other staff played in games coaching and dance teaching confirms that this children’s literature is an accurate representation. The incorporation of contemporary details in her writing, through referencing current events for example, strengthens the case for acknowledging this. However it is concluded that the source becomes less accurate in the latter half of the series when Brent-Dyer lost contact with the education world and with young people.

Keywords

Elinor M. Brent-Dyer Chalet School Literature as an historical source Girls’ school stories Physical education Dance 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Dance DepartmentUniversity of WolverhamptonWalsall Campus UK

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