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79
air school will shortly be opened in South London, and redoubled efforts are being
made to overcome the difficulties in North London. The great obstacle to the latter
is that London is built upon up to its limits and far beyond, in this direction, and the
only chance is to acquire some mansion with extensive grounds which in the present
condition of house shortage is well nigh impossible.
It is a thousand pities that a tiny portion of each of the larger parks cannot
be devoted to this purpose. During school hours the parks are comparatively
speaking, unfrequented, the use of a small portion for the restoration of health of
the debilitated child would be practically unnoticeable, and would in no measure
detract from their amenities. It appears deplorable that such opportunities should
be wasted. No sites likely to be secured in London will compare in results with
those that would be obtained bv open-air schools in the large narks and open spaces.
In view 01 the difficulty experienced in getting sufficient open-air school accommodation
many teachers for some years have attempted to secure open-air
education for isolated classes of children in the playground of the school or in some
instances in adjacent parks or open spaces. Four such classes in exceptionally
favourable positions are held throughout the year. 89 other open-air classes were
held during the summer only. 21 of them were for delicate children selected by the
school doctor, while 70 were for ordinary classes held in the open-air instead of
within the school walls. Special reports on the 21 classes for delicate children
were received. Many of the children were clearly benefited, but the results naturally
were not so good all round as those obtained at the open-air schools where adequate
facilities for rest and feeding are present.
Open-air
classes.
The reports are generally more enthusiastic in regard to classes held in the
parks than to those held in the playgrounds, but even in the latter good work was
done and teachers should be encouraged to carry on open-air work wherever the
conditions allow.
After the war many thought that it would be advisable for the Council to
acquire some of the military camps for educational purposes. A number of camps
were inspected, but in the end the only suitable camp found was that at Bushy
Park. The equipment was presented to the Council by the Canadian Red Cross
Society, and Upper Lodge, with the land adjoining, has since been graciously placed
by the King at the Council's disposal. The function of the school is to preserve
town children who begin to flag from sinking into a state of chronic anaemia or
debility. It is expressly brought into being to deal with the child whose doctor
says : "Now mother, the thing to do is to get him into the country for a month."
This is quite a different type from that for which the day open-air school is
established.
Convalescent
camp
schools.
Bushy.
The school has achieved a notable success. Not only do the boys improve in
health, they have their teeth thoroughly seen to during their stay, are taught the
rudiments of hygiene both by precept and practice, and receive as well a moral
uplift from the excellent tone maintained. Boys gain in weight in some cases as
much as seven or nine pounds during their stay. Defects of posture and carriage
and incipient deformities are skilfully and methodically dealt with by intensive
remedial exercises. Not only does each boy learn and practice a hygienic mode of
living, but at the end of his stay each boy carries away with him a definite set of
instructions suited to his needs. One boy was sent to the school by the Care Committee
specially in the hope that he would reach the physical standard required
by the Post Office. This he achieved, making a growth of over an inch in height,
which enabled him to pass the test.
Daring the year, 781 boys received individual treatment for physical defects
during their stay, and 94 per cent, were visibly improved. The benefits of the
school are widespread, catering, as it does, for over 3,000 boys a year.
Girls are not so fortunate. However, a most successful institution is run by
the Council at Wanstead House, Margate, where three hundred girls of the same
Wanstead
house,
Margate.