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168 Annual Report of the London County Council, 1912.

The largest percentage of loss of weight occurred in June and July, at a time which would
appear to correspond with the hot weather during those months, as was also observed to have
been the case in the playground class at Rochelle-street school (see p. 46).
Cayley-street (Limehouse).—This class consisted of the ordinary Standard III. girls, comprising
40 children, who were drawn from a very poor district in Limehouse. The district was greatly affected
by the dock strike, and more than half the children were on the feeding list. The class was held in the
playground shelter facing south, and was rather too near the street. Rugs and tarpaulins were provided.
Some difficulties were experienced in securing attention for various ailments, but a decided all-round
improvement in health was noted, and the children became brighter and more alert. All increased in
height and weight.
Denmark-hill (Dulwich).—A mixed class made up of backward and delicate children of Standard I.
level. The children made satisfactory improvement in weight and became more lively and responsive.
The "Earlsfield" (Wandsworth).—A mixed class of infants consisting of boys of ages from 3 to
44/12 (average 38/12) and girls of ages from 39/12 to 45/12 (average 4 years). The number of the class suffering
from colds is reported to have been very small, whereas the infants in indoor classes showed a large
percentage of absence from school for catarrhal conditions.

Eglinton-road (Woolwich).—An ordinary class of girls (Standard VI.). None of the children were
specially selected. The work of the class was of the following nature:—About half the time was spent
in the playground, Under cover when wet, and the other half was occupied in visiting places of geographical
and historical interest, such as Shooters-hill, Eltham-common, the Geological Quarry at Charlton,
Blackheath, Greenwich-park with its old Roman remains, the Old Dover-road, the old Museum and the
Painted Hall (Greenwich), Morden College, King John's Palace (Eltham), Sevendrogg Castle, etc. These
excursions entailed country walks in which special stress was laid on observation of physical features of
the ground and in studying pond life and the habits of birds, bees and butterflies, as well as in acquiring a
practical knowledge of mensuration and elementary surveying. In addition, manual training formed part
of the curriculum, the footstools (referred to later on) being made by the children, as were also inkstands,
blotters, sundials, etc. Until August, the class was held, in an uncovered portion of the playground
except when it rained, when the class was held in the covered-in part. An awning was supplied on 24th
August and fixed in the centre of the playground. Trestle tables were used, but the chairs of Austrian
bentwood were made for adults, and there was no support for the children's backs at the base of the
scapulae. In many instances the chairs were too high and did not lend themselves to the maintenance
of the ideal position, but improvised footstools somewhat remedied this defect.