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

Brief Description

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 head mistress, 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.

Research Rationale

There is very little written on the work of Elinor M. Brent-Dyer and certainly none which focusses on her as an historical source. This examination of her particular knowledge of physical education and dance in the period is unique. Much of this article relies on primary sources, i.e. Elinor M. Brent-Dyer’s novels, as well as drawing on key texts on physical education, teacher training, education and dance education of the period. The sources are genuine, authentic and reliable and give substance to the significance of the research.

Strategies Undertaken

Evidence of integrity and rigour is in publication in this international journal of children’s literature which claims: “Children’s Literature in Education is a peer reviewed journal covering children’s literature worldwide … It is a key source of articles on all aspects of children’s literature [covering] classical and contemporary material, the highbrow and the popular … [and] features analyses of fiction, poetry … [and] historical approaches”