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may be ensured. In addition, a nurse attends once a month in
order that records of increase in heights and weights of each child
may be kept. Every attention is given to personal hygiene. Toothbrush
drill is carried out before the day's work commences, and
showerbaths are given every other day on the recommendation of
the Medical Officer.
Meals.—Food is carefully considered. A fortnightly menu
is thoughtfully prepared, and dinners of suitable food are cooked
on the school premises and are served at midday. After the meal
the children rest on special rest chairs in the open. The midday
rest lasts for an hour, and, as during cold weather blankets are
provided, the time is usually spent in sound and healthy sleep.
A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. per week is made to cover the cost of
meals, although in necessitous cases this amount is reduced. These
payments are called for weekly by the School Attendance Staff
during their ordinary rounds of visitation, and, in this manner,
£288 13s. 0d. has been collected, which sum, having regard to the
reduced payments operating in certain cases, approximates to the
amount of expenditure incurred in the provision of the necessary
food commodities.
Progress.—Photographs are taken of the children upon
admission, and it is interesting and easy to note by comparison
with the present condition of the children the very marked improvement
which has in many cases taken place in the comparatively
short time the School has been open; weight and height cards show
similar satisfactory results—in some cases as much as nine to twelve
pounds having been gained since January, 1929. These cases of
marked improvement exist amongst all ages. Many of the children
who on admittance appear lethargic, disheartened, and uninterested,
become, in a short time, mentally alert, responsive and happier
in appearance.
The fact that the age-range is five to fourteen years, and
that the "House System" is firmly established, has proved of
great advantage to the senior pupils, who, it has been observed,
have gained not only in health but in a sense of that responsibility
which is so vital to children whose physical disabilities have
rendered them the "sheltered" in their old school environment.
Education Offices, Ilford.
5th December, 1929.
10. Physical Training.—The following is the report of the
Supervising Instructor in Physical Training:—
I.—Staff.
No increase in the staff has been made during the year,
II.—Duties and Organisation.
My duties as Supervising Instructor in Physical Training
continue to be of an advisory, instructional and supervisory
character as regards the teaching of physical training (inclusive of
swimming instruction and organised games) throughout all the
schools under the jurisdiction of the Authority. Such duties
include, as previously, staff conferences and practical demonstrations,
and are governed, as is also the instruction given, by