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29
In June a second large evacuation of children took place and
thereafter the " Trickle " Scheme operated. In spite of this, in
September 1940 there were 3,237 children on the school rolls, and
at the end of 1940 there were still nearly 2,000 children on the rolls.
Attendance at school was bad, especially following heavy enemy
action in the autumn.
Children who had been evacuated came back and were
re-evacuated sometimes as often as three or four times. In some
cases the children's return was completely justified, as the parent
would find on visiting that the child was uncomfortable, unhappy,
or unclean. Several children were brought back because they had
contracted Scabies.
The 'milk in schools' scheme was begun in May 1940 and
free meals and milk were supplied to necessitous children. The
numbers of such children in Acton were much less than in peace
time as there was almost no unemployment and in a number of cases
both parents were working. Children whose parents wished it, were
allowed to have school meals and pay for them, but in most cases
arrangements were made at home with relatives or friends.
All the usual clinics operated throughout the year, Minor
Ailment, Dental, Ophthalmic, Rheumatic, Nose & Ear Clinics, etc.
There were no changes in the staff and work was carried on as
normally as possible.