London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Barking 1939

[Report of the School Medical Officer for Barking]

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9. OPEN-AIR EDUCATION.
The week-end School Camps, held at Hainault Forest,
and which have been a permanent feature of the Committee's
work for so many years, were held as usual until the Summer
Recess, when they were discontinued on account of the
national emergency.
The Holiday Camps, each of a fortnight's duration,
have not been held during 1939*
10. PHYSICAL TRAINING.
I have received no report from the Organisers of
Physical Training (Miss C.M. Hawkes and Mr. L.E. Last) but
it is with pleasure I append the following extract from their
Report to the Education Committee, as this extract has
particular reference to physical education in Barking from
September to December 1939:_
"The two new gymnasia at the Manor Central School were
used from the beginning of December onwards as
physical training centres to which 40 boys and 40
girls from each of the five areas in which the Barking
schools were organised, were brought once a week by
the Committee's omnibuses for an hour's physical
training. In addition, those children who were within
reasonable walking distance of the school attended for
two additional periods per week. The enthusiasm and
enjoyment shown by these children in the facilities
afforded by well-equipped gymnasia and showers is an
indication of the need for such conditions in every
senior school.
Periods of physical training were also included
in the time-table of all schools when these re-opened
for an hour's daily instruction for older children in
November. It was even more satisfactory to note
that teachers expected the same effort and standard
of work from the children as in normal times."
11. PROVISION OF MEALS. MILK AND COD LIVER OIL & MALT, etc.
The provision of solid meals and milk ceased on the
1st September 1939. Meals were recommenced on the 6th
November 1939, and milk on the l8th December 1939.
The supply of Cod Liver Oil & Malt, and other special
preparations were interrupted for a few days only, whilst the
Clinics were closed for purposes of Civil Defence works.
In view of the Committee's close interest in the
question of malnutrition, I set out below figures extracted
from Board of Education Statistical Return (Form 8 a.M.) :-

Classification of the Nutrition of Children Inspected during the year in the Routine Age Groups, up to 31st August 1939.

Age-Groups.No. of children inspected.A (Excellent) .B (Normal).c (Slightly subnormal).D (Bad).
No.%No.%No.%No.%
Entrants6 7720229.844065.O345.010.2
Second Age-
Group8l818622.758771.8455.5—-
Third Age-448
Group59513322.375.3142.4—-
Other Routine
Inspections—-------
TOTALS2,09052124.91,47570.693,4.4510.05