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OPEN AIR SCHOOLS.
There has now been time to obtain experience of four open air schools. The first school at
Bostall Woods was opened during July-October 1907, and the three schools at Montpelier House, Birley
House and Shrewsbury House were opened during June-October 1908. Bostall Woods school was
about nine miles east of London Bridge and a mile and a half south of the river, just on the boundary of
the county. A mile and a half south-west of this is Shooter's Hill, on the top of which is Shrewsbury
House. Montpelier House is an old-fashioned low storied house in about two and a half acres of ground,
three miles due north of Trafalgar Square, whilst Birley House adjoins the Horniman's Museum, four
and a half miles south from the Tower. In each case the soil is stiff clay which did not dry readily after
rain, except on the high and exposed area at Shrewsbury House; otherwise there was abundance of
room, plenty of trees and grass, and the sites suited admirably.
Method of Selection of Children.—The class of children wanted for these schools are those
who through poverty, neglect, heredity or certain chronic conditions are unfit for the ordinary strain of
school life. With very many the natural powers of growth may be expected to assert themselves if
the conditions are favourably adjusted even for a relatively short time. This can be done by bringing
the child under easier conditions. In the open air school the whole burden of life is lightened by the
regular rest and daily sleep, the systematic feeding, the stimulating effect of the open air, and the reduced
pressure in regard to merely academic work. The selection of these children has hitherto been a weak
point in the medical arrangements, chiefly owing to the fact that only a short time has been available
for this purpose. Certain schools presenting relative accessibility whether by foot or electric tram,
were selected and the head teachers were asked to nominate children to be submitted to the medical
officer. These children were examined at centres. For the Bostall Woods School 272 children were
nominated from 51 schools in Woolwich, Greenwich, Plumstead and Deptford, and 149 selected (G8
boys and 81 girls) as most likely to benefit. After considering their relative accessibility to the school,
49 boys and 64 girls were admitted. Both at these examinations and those for the other schools,
many robust children were found, who, from statements of parents or for other reasons were supposed
by the teachers to be in delicate health. The supposed diagnosis of weak heart was often given with
absolutely healthy children, and of consumption in children who merely had adenoids.
The ailments among the children admitted at Bostall Woods are representative ; they were as
follows:—
Palpably enlarged cervical glands 63
Pallor sufficiently great to indicate considerable anaemia 47
Enlarged tonsils 27
Adenoids (nasal obstruction) 7
Heart disease 6
Lungs—Phthisis early 1
Bronchiectasis 1