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of the head of a school of this character are manifold. He
has to combine the functions of a head teacher and an experienced
caterer, while he has to take as keen a personal
interest in the child as its parents, and his hours are long.
He will have to possess distinctive organising ability,
for the making of the varied arrangements for the curriculum,
the meals, baths, and the thousand and one small
duties will necessitate the greatest attention to minute detail
if the school is to be successful, and to run smoothly.
The difficulties will be increased by reason of the fact
that many children of widely varying capacities, both physical
and mental, will be in the school for a comparatively
short period. The head teacher will be, even more than in
the elementary school, the guardian of the child, and will
have to give close attention to the individual's progress,
almost from day to day. The success of the school will
largely depend upon the adequacy of the organization.
Shooter's Hill School was the only school we visited
where male teachers were provided. All the reasons which
are urged for the employment of male teachers in ordinary
schools apply here with even greater force, and we are of
opinion that the employment of some male teachers at the
open air school should receive the favourable consideration
of the Committee.
It will also probably be considered desirable by the Committee
that the teachers should preside at the meal tables
from time to time, for the meals provide an excellent opportunity
for the influence of the teacher to be felt. The
teachers at the Regent's Park Open Air School (L.C.C.)
exercise supervision over the boys at meal times. At Uffculme,
Birmingham, all the teachers sat at one table, but
this arrangement did not impress us favourably, and, in fact,
was not considered an ideal arrangement by the teachers
themselves.