View report page

CO-OPERATION WITH VOLUNTARY BODIES.
The School Medical Service receives a good deal of assistance
from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
in obstinate cases of uncleanliness, and from the Invalid Children's
Aid Association and the local charitable organisations in providing
convalescent treatment for children of school age.
SCHOOL BATHS AND SWIMMING.
The arrangement whereby children from the Elementary
Schools attend the Public Swimming Baths for instruction continued
in force during the year, and the report of the Superintendent
(Mr. A. V. Palmer) shows that the percentage of those who learn to
swim and those who can swim is on the increase; as is also the
number of voluntary attendances outside school hours. The time
available is now used to capacity, and the new teaching Bath now
in course of erection will be very useful. Of 2,465 children under
instruction, 1,742 could swim.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The organisers of Physical Training in the Schools took up
their duties on 1st September, 1936; their report at the end of
August, 1937, reveals that good progress has been made in the
organisation of the scheme.
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY DEFECTIVE CHILDREN.
The Special School, under the direction of Miss L. Ross, has
continued during the year, 4 children being admitted during the
year (4 from Beckenham). The number on roll at 31st December,
1937, was 17 (Beckenham, 4 boys and 10 girls; Penge, 2 boys;
Bromley, 1 boy).
Six children left during the year, in the following circumstances:—
Beckenham—
1 Boy, aged 14 Secured work as Errand Boy.
2 Boys, aged 14 Secured work in Factory.
1 Girl, aged 7 Left area.
Penge—
1 Boy, aged 14 Notified to K.C.C.
1 Girl, aged 12 Left area.
Provision of Meals.—A mid-day meal is provided at the School,
and the number of meals served was 3,519, the total cost being
£58 13s. 0d., towards which the parents contributed £31 4s. 4d.
78