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CO-OPERATION OF TEACHERS.
The Head Teacher is present at the Routine Inspections, and
a summary of the defects found is provided for the information of
the Head Teachers.
The School Medical Service derives a great deal of valuable
help from the teachers, and particularly from the Head Teacher, who
takes a practical interest in the physical welfare of the children,
and is under a great obligation to the teachers in this respect, for
their co-operation has resulted in very large numbers of defects
being found and remedied which otherwise might not have been
detected, or which might have persisted for long periods without
treatment.
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 is
very useful. Of 2,677 children under instruction, 1,786 could swim.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
The report of the organisers of Physical Training in the Schools
stresses the value of the scheme now in operation and the expansion
which will follow from the further training of teachers and the provision
of equipment.
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 (3 from Beckenham). The number on roll at 31st December,
1929, was 21 (Beckenham, 6 boys and 12 girls; Penge, 2 boys;
Kent, 1 boy).
Four children left during the year, in the following circumstances:—
Beckenham:—
1 boy aged 14 Admitted to Trade School.
1 girl aged 16 Attained leaving age.
1 girl aged 14 To take up selected employment.
1 girl aged 14 ditto.
Provision of Meals.—A mid-day meal is provided at the School,
and the number of meals served during the period the school was
31