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The principle embodying the care of these children is that health is the primary consideration
and so far as they are able to receive it, education is given during their residence in the institution.
The institution differs from that of Kettering day open air school in that open air is not to
the same extent in evidence but the children have the advantage of residential conditions and they
live and work to the greatest possible extent in the open. The buildings in which the children reside,
and in part work have all their windows open, but the whole sides of the building are not open as in
Kettering. The temporary shelters which the boys used at the date of our visit were of the ordinary
type used for sanatorium purposes.
A feature of the work at this school is the practical training which both girls and boys receive
—girls in needlework and domestic work and gardening and boys in wood-work and gardening.
We were informed that these children were readily accepted, on reaching the age of 16, into practical
workshops on account of the high standard of training they obtained at the schools.
10. Clacton- St. Michael's Convent of Mercy Residential School for Cripple Children.—Visited
22nd April, 1920. Deputation:—Councillor W. M. Bolton, the Rev. H. Martin Thorpe, and Dr.
Atkinson.
This school provides accommodation in three residential houses for 49 girls suffering from
acute or chronic forms of surgical tuberculosis or cases of general debility, etc. The school is in charge
of a Sister Superior and the cases are under the care of a Medical Practitioner who visits once per
week. With the exception of a small open air shelter containing two beds all other sleeping accommodation
is in the various bedrooms which contain five to eight beds. There was nothing worthy of
note in the arrangement or equipment of the bedrooms or playroom ; the furniture and fittings of the
home are old fashioned and depressing.
A small brick building has been divided into classrooms, for purposes of a school, each classroom
opening by glass doors on to a small court yard. Meals are served in two low sheds which have been
erected in another part of the garden.
The whole arrangements here are crude, the method of serving is unsatisfactory, rough and
lacking in any attempt at daintiness.
F. Residential Sanatorium Schools for Children Suffering from Pulmonary
Tuberculosis.
17. Middlesex—Northern Hospital Sanatorium School, Winchmore Hill.—Visited 10th March,
1920. Deputation:—Councillor W. M. Bolton, and Dr. Buchan.
This school was established in August, 1916, for boys under 7 and girls up to 16 years of age.
The accommodation provided is for 60 pupils.
The institution is maintained by the Metropolitan Asylums Board and the children sent to
it are sent by the London County Council. The institution is in charge of a Medical Superintendent.
Two pavilions at the Northern Hospital have been set apart for these children. These pavilions
were originally built for convalescent fever cases and are not specially designed for purposes of a
sanatorium school.
There is much waste of space on account of the classrooms being too large.
The children admitted are children suffering from early pulmonary tuberculosis. The average
stay is from six to nine months.
The children are under strict medical care and the matter of education is secondary to the
matter of their health. On the slightest indication of active disease, as, for example, rise of temperature,
the children are made to rest in bed or their school hours are reduced until their temperature
becomes normal again.
18. Harpenden—National Children's Home and Residential Sanatorium School.- Visited
18th March, 1920. Deputation:—Councillors W. M. Bolton, Miss Royle, and Dr. Atkinson.
This institution is a branch of the National Children's Homes and Orphanages, and was originally
started to provide open air treatment and education for tuberculous children from their various
branch homes over the country.
The sanatorium is in charge of a matron. It is a two storey building built in red brick, rough
cast and tile roof, having along the south aspect a verandah and a wide balcony overhead between
the ground and first storey.
On the ground floor separate dining rooms are provided for boys and girls and there are two
large wards for bed cases in addition to recreation, treatment and staff rooms.
On the first storey are small and large wards of two to eight beds, each ward opening by a
French window on to the balcony, so that beds are very easily wheeled out, some of the children
living outside day and night. When necessary, an overhead awning and side wind screens can be
adjusted.