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57
Detailed reports from the school doctors were received from all the other day
open-air schools. From their reports the following accounts of the activities of the
schools have been extracted:—
Wood Lane
open-air
school.
Dr. R. C.
Norman.
This open-air school, built expressly for its purpose, and not adapted, was opened on
June 17th, 1929. The buildings, which comprise administrative offices, a dining and rest hall,
and four open-air classrooms, with the surrounding land, cover 1} acres. The school lies
exposed to every wind that blows, and is surrounded by large open spaces, playing-fields of
other schools and tennis courts.
"The accommodation is for 130 children, the roll 148, the number of boys and girls being
practically equal. The average attendance is 118. In addition to the ordinary school hours
of the elementary schools the children are expected to attend on Saturday mornings, and about
80 per cent. of the average attendance do attend. Three meals are provided during the school
period each day, breakfast at 9 a.m., dinner 12 noon, tea from 5-5.30 p.m., somewhat earlier
during the dark days.
"A typical breakfast consists of porridge with milk and sugar, bread and marmalade or
bread and butter, cocoa made with milk. A typical dinner would be meat (boiled salt beef,
stew, roast beef or boiled mutton), vegetables, pudding (jam, suet, milk or fruit salad). For
tea brown and white bread and butter, bread and jam, cake three times a week, milk and tea.
On those days when fruit salad is not served, each child has some fruit, either an orange, banana
or apple. The children give no trouble in taking their food, which is good in quality, properly
cooked and nicely served. After dinner each child has 1¼ hours' rest on a Ceta bed 1½ hours in
summer). The blankets used are numbered and each scholar only uses the one appropriated.
"The plot of ground belonging to the school was a wilderness 18 months ago; to-day it literally
blossoms as the rose, producing flowers and vegetables in abundance, the flower garden supporting
two hives of bees from which 30 lbs. of honey were obtained last year. Three-quarters of a ton
of potatoes were produced, which were sold to the kitchen for £5, and a plentiful supply of green
and root vegetables also went into the same market. These funds have helped to instal wireless
and a loud speaker, the broadcast educational lessons being received, and by connecting up
suitable gramophone records, this music is used in the dancing lessons. Every child, boy and girl
alike, does some work in the garden, that done by the girls being voluntary, but all show
keenness.
"About two dozen boys and girls have swimming lessons. There is scarcely one child in
the school with a 'cold' and the head teacher informs me that some parents have told him that
this is the first winter their children have been able to attend school without any break through
illness. In the summer each scholar has a weekly hot bath, but in winter those children are
exempted whose parents object. A little sun-bathing was done last summer, the boys dressed
in shorts and girls in swimming costumes. This was liked by the children, and it is hoped to
increase the numbers considerably during this coming summer, and devise a suitable form and
colour of garment, enquiries concerning which are now being made.
"Each child in the two senior classes has a plot of ground which is cultivated and planted
according to fancy.
"Teeth-cleaning drill is practised every day, but all do not possess brushes, meanwhile the,
forefinger is used as a substitute.
"Every day the minor ailments are attended to by the sister-in-charge on the school premises.
"The whole tone of the school is excellent, due to a most capable, enthusiastic and pleasant.
mannered head teacher, a quiet, thorough, painstaking sister and the earnest teaching staff.
It is always a pleasure to visit the school, for one is sure of seeing real business proceeding and
of receiving everv necessarv assistance."
Stowey
House School
Dr. W.
Slowan.
This has been another satisfactory year at Stowey House School, 28 per cent. of
the first year children and 38 per cent. of the second year having been found fit for
discharge. In all, 107 children left at Easter fit either to return to their ordinary
school or to leave altogether at the age of 14. As was said in last year's report the
sun-bathing during the summer months has a great deal to do with the good results
obtained. Started in the first week in May it continues till the second week in
October. Each year sun-bathing is growing in popularity and it is now not an uncommon
thing for children to show a desire to indulge in it more fully or more
frequently than might be considered advisable by inexperienced critics.
In view of the great importance of sun-bathing, it is to be regretted that it is
apparently so difficult to ensure having the school filled at Easter so that all children
could receive the maximum benefit. There is accommodation for 260 children but
for the last five years the number on the roll at the beginning of the summer term
has varied from as low as 252 to 283 and the school has not been full until June
or later.
A great improvement has lately been effected in the garden by the paving of the
main pathway. There still remain to be considered other means of ameliorating the
inclement conditions to which children at open-air schools are exposed in winter,