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84
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.—On December 31st, 1908, there were
within the Croydon area :—
18 Provided Schools, including 54 departments, with
recognised accommodation for 19,089 children, and
14 Non-Provided Schools, including 37 departments, with
accommodation for 5,651 children.
The total provision for Elementary School children in the
Borough therefore amounted to 32 schools, with accommodation for
24,740 children.
The number of children on the register on December 31st, 1908,
was 23,700.
During 1908, the Good Shepherd School was closed, and St.
Michael's School opened in substitution.
When the Education Committee came into being in 1903, three
of the old school buildings were so unsatisfactory as to require
closure as soon as more suitable accommodation could be provided.
One of these schools was the Good Shepherd just referred to, while
the other two (St. James' and Tamworth Road) will be closed
before Ions'.
It is not easy to summarise one's opinions as to the "hygienic
conditions prevalent in the area of the local authority." Speaking
generally the newer schools are excellent, and with the exception of
the schools about to be closed, even the older buildings are free
from the grosser defects.
With respect to the newer infant schools, these are buildings of
which the Borough can justly be proud, and 1 have heard nothing
but praise from numerous representatives of local authorities who
have accompanied me in my visits to these schools. A slight
modification of the central hall, which I have already mentioned to
the architect, would be a further improvement. Several French
windows or similar contrivances should be introduced at either end
of the hall, which could then be made to communicate freely with
the playground in summer time.
With regard to the Boys' and Girls' Schools, these also are
excellent, and one notes with interest the provision of work-rooms
in the two newest schools. This is a sign of the times, and if one
reads the future aright, points to a time when manual work will
employ a larger and larger share of the school hours of both boys
and girls. Before long school plans will have to be modified to
meet this development