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A nurse attends every morning to record temperatures and treat minor ailments.
Single portable desks are provided, class instruction being given outside whenever possible,
each child being wrapped in warm blankets.
It was noticeable in the garden that, owing to the unprepared gravel ground and small foot
rests attached to the desks in use, there was practically no protection against cold and damp feet,
no extra provision in the way of lined clogs, etc., being made for the children.
A large wooden platform screened round by canvas has been erected at a cost of £150. This
affords useful protection for one class in rough weather but gives no protection or shade from the sun
in hot weather.
Dinners are cooked on the premises, each child paying 3½d. per dinner and 1½d. for extra
milk. One cook is in charge with two kitchen women to assist. The kitchen women are also responsible
for the carrying out of desks and stretcher beds to the garden.
Each child is weighed every month and examined by the Tuberculosis Medical Officer three
times during the year.
D.—Residential Open Air Schools.
9. Seaford—Hamilton House Residential Open Air School.—Visited 22nd March, 1920. Deputation:—Councillors
Mrs. Moore, the Rev. H. Martin Thorpe, and Dr. Buchan.
This is actually a convalescent home for boys established and maintained by the Invalid
Children's Aid Association. It is under the control of a matron.
There are six acres of ground attached to the school. It has accommodation for 28 boys who
are suffering from enlarged glands, chorea, or mal-nutrition. The house was not built primarily as
an open air school, but the children going there derive benefit mainly from the change of air and the
regime of the home.
The stay in the home is about, on the average, three months, but in some cases it may be
one year. There is a visiting Physician attached to the home, who, however, only calls as required.
10. Manchester—Bank Hall Residential Open Air School.—Visited 13th April, 1920. Deputation:—Councillors
W. M. Bolton, Mrs. Moore, Miss Royle, the Rev. H. Martin Thorpe, and Dr.
Buchan.
This is a residential school for 50 children who are in charge of a matron. The house in which
the children sleep was a gift to the Corporation of Manchester for delicate children.
An open air school consisting of a resting shed and two classrooms and teachers' rooms and
offices has been built close to the mansion house.
The children admitted come from the Manchester public elementary schools suffering from
anaemia, debility, mal-nutrition and similar conditions. There are about 15 acres of land attached
to this school.
The children are resident and the average stay is about six months.
11. Cheshire—West Kirby Convalescent Home and Residential Open Air School—Visited
14th April, 1920. Deputation:—Councillors W. M. Bolton, Mrs. Moore, Miss Royle, the Rev. H.
Martin Thorpe, and Dr. Buchan.
This is a residential home for 180 children sent by the Liverpool Education Committee, Boards
of Guardians and other authorities. The children taken in are delicate children, pre-tubercular
children, children suffering from infantile paralysis, and cripples. Some of the children are able
to be up all day, others for only a portion of the day.
The average stay of the children at this institution is one year.
Classrooms are attached to the school and the teaching is largely manual.
The institution is under the charge of a matron.
12. Cheshire—Heswall Residential Open Air School.—Visited 14th April, 1920. Deputation:—
Councillor Mrs. Moore, the Rev. H. Martin Thorpe, and Dr. Buchan.
This is a residential institution for 56 boys and girls suffering from all forms of tuberculosis,
anaemia, mal-nutrition, debility, etc., sent by Liverpool Boards of Guardians. A Matron is in charge.
The residential part of the institution is beautifully situated overlooking the sea. Some
additional accommodation is at present being provided by way of army huts which, however, do
not permit of the ventilation usually associated with open air methods.
A large open shed has been erected in connection with the school and is used as classrooms.
Proficient teachers are not supplied by the Guardians but the children are under the care of a well
educated man and his wife.
Boys are admitted between the ages of 4 and 14 and girls up to 16.
The average stay of the child at this institution is from 6 to 12 months.