The daughter of a solicitor, Phyllis attended Bedford High School for Girls initially but completed her education at Manchester High School for Girls where she led a full and active part in school life. Even at an early age she was Games Captain representing the school at many sports. She completed her education at Bedford Physical Training College 1908–1910. Her first meeting with the Principal, Miss Stansfeld, was daunting as she described her as ‘deformed’. This didn’t deter Phyllis and later she wrote and performed in the junior school play in 1908 on women’s suffrage.

Phyllis first taught P.E. at Bolton Grammar School. Around 1916 she became a teacher at St George’s School, Edinburgh. Already very active in spreading the physical education message; Phyllis was involved in the formation of the English Keep Fit Association, lectured in support of the National Playing Fields Campaign and organised P.E. for the National Council of Girls Clubs.

In June 1932 Phyllis was appointed Secretary of the Ling Association of Teachers of Swedish Gymnastics, a professional guild for teachers of the Ling method of gymnastics.  This involved presenting talks both at home and abroad on physical education and health.  It was whilst working at this institution that in 1949 she was awarded an O.B.E. for her outstanding contribution to the physical education profession. In the same year she also received the King Gustavus Gold Medal for her work whilst serving as Secretary of the Ling Association.

In 1934 Phyllis was invited to join a new Physical Education Committee set up by the British Medical Association Council. This later became incorporated into the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training which evolved into the Central Council for Physical Recreation.  This body reported on many aspects of physical activity and youth which became incorporated into the Government White Paper Educational Reconstruction (1943) and formed the basis of the 1944 Education Act.

In 1949, after the sudden death of Cicely Read, Miss Stansfeld invited Phyllis to become the Principal of Bedford Physical Training College for a limited period of two years. This time Phyllis accepted having previously declined the invitation. Following her retirement Phyllis never relinquished her dedication to sport and physical exercise. She became President of the Westmoreland Keep Fit Association. As if to prove the benefit of keeping active, Phyllis died at the age of 101.

Exhibition curated by Debbie Moore, Reader Services