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142
the tendency, so are there more and more of those, lor the moment,
unproductive seven years children (mental age). At the other
end of the scale, those children who once reach the mental age of
sixteen years can make no apparent progress, i.e., according to
Northumberland Tests.
I am glad to state that the provision of a myopic desk has
been the means of changing one child's altitude to work. Until
recently, the child participated in the oral lessons only, and lost
in the other lessons that which she had gained. Her attitude
towards work was erratic, and this affected her general demeanour.
For the last six months she has taken a keen interest in all written
subjects, and, although several years' work have been lost, she is
now working—slowly, it is true— on a level with her class.
Average attendance for the year was 88, with an average
roll of 104. There is little loss of attendance through trivial causes,
in fact, in only seven cases do I feel that the attendanoe could
be termed irregular.
Most of the lost attendance is due to long absences, when it
has been quite obvious that it was impossible for children
to be in attendance. Twenty-two children have been absent for
periods varying from five weeks to eighteen weeks. Fourteen of
these children have spent part, or all, of their period of absence
in hospital or convalescent home, returning to school at the earliest
opportunity. In view of these figures it can be seen that the average
of 88, with an average roll of 104. is actually a good result.
The following is a summary of the report of the Head Teacher
of the Open-Air School on the School Journey to Seaford in July: —
The School journey to Seaford, in July, 1930, was so successful
and proved to have had such beneficial results, both educationally
and physically, that the experiment was repeated in 1931. On
June 19th a party of 27 children from the Open-Air School left
Ilford to spend ten days at Seaford— being accommodated once
again at Flint House. Again the School journey party was
fortunate, the weather was favourable and work, rest and play
was taken under full "open-air" conditions. Everything went
smoothly with no untoward incident to mar the happiness of the
children, who returned at the end of the ten days looking remarkably
fit, and with a decidedly stronger interest in work.
The total cost of the School Journey was £78 15s. 11a.
The maximum amount charged per child was £2 10s.
Every child made a contribution towards the cost of the
holiday, the subscriptions ranging from 10s. to £2 10s.
10. Physical Training.—The following is the report of the
Supervising Instructor in Physical Training:—