View report page

* These children were not in attendance at any school.
The above figures are to be regarded as under-estimated, as during the period in question
medical inspection was only partial, while the figures given by other Authorities, where open-air
schools have been established, shew that about 2.5 per cent. of the school population require to attend
a day open-air school. The figure for 1915 given above, represents approximately 1.30 per cent.
of the Willesden School population. Similarly the number of Willesden children of school age notified
as suffering from Tuberculosis was 66 in 1915, 51 in 1916 and 56 in 1917.
Importance of establishing suitable open-air day and residential schools.—This question has
received the attention of the Education Committee upon many occasions and a report of a Visiting
Committee specially appointed to visit Open Air Schools, dated July 17th, 1914, was presented to
the Education Committee just before the outbreak of war. (Copy enclosed.)
The plan of the Willesden Open Air School devised by this Committee was subsequently approved
by the Education Committee and the Board of Education, but on the 2nd June, 1915, it was
resolved that no work be commenced in connection with this matter until after the war.
At the present time many Willesden children suffering from the conditions mentioned above
are being inadequately educated or receive no education at all, owing to want of the kind of school
accommodation which will enable them to attend regularly without health deterioration.
Open-air Schools have been established with the view of placing these children under healthy
conditions and at the same time educating them step by step with improvement in their physical
condition. These Schools have been established by various authorities in England and Wales, and
everywhere there is agreement that the pupils attending have improved mentally and physically,
and that they leave these Schools in a condition which enables them to be self-supporting.
Open-air Schools give free play to those most important bases of health, viz.:—fresh air, sunlight,
proper dieting, rest, cleanliness and exercise. Medical inspection and supervision is more
frequent and of direct value in directing the child's course of study and future career.
The educational methods adopted in these Schools are more practical and education becomes
more and more an individual expression of the child's capacity for doing and making.
Proposals.—Having regard to the numbers shewn above, it is suggested:—
(1) That an Open-air Day School be provided in Willesden for 240 pupils.
(2) That provision be made for those cases suitable for a residential open-air school
in connection with the proposed convalescent home for mothers and children under
five. The number of those cases as at present ascertained is not sufficient to
justify a separate institution.
(3) That provision be made for a residential sanatorium school for 50 pupils. This
also should be associated with the Convalescent Home for mothers and children.
(1) The Open-air Day School.—Special attention must be given to the following points -
1. The site to be open and fairly accessible.
2. One acre of land to be available for every 40 scholars.
3. The school buildings to be of such construction as will allow the maximum admission
of fresh air and sunlight, with adequate protection against stormy weather.
4. Arrangements to be made to provide sufficient warmth for the pupils in cold
weather.
5. The class-room to be constructed for 25 pupils.
6. The desks to be single and of light construction.
7. The following special accommodation to be provided:-Kitchen, Dining Room, Bath
Room, Doctor's Room, Nurses' Room, Manual Rooms, Laundry and Ample Store
accommodation.
8. Teachers to be specially selected with special knowledge of manual instruction,
laundry, nature studies, the general laws of hygenie, physical exercises and
games.