London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Walthamstow 1930

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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28
9. OPEN-AIR EDUCATION.
(a) Playground Classes.— Most schools appear fully to utilise
favourable weather conditions for playground classes, physical
exercises and organised games.

(b)School Journeys.-The following school journeys were made during the year:—

School.Number.Place.Date.
Shernhall Special26Ryde, Isle of Wight3rd-17th April.
North Central34MortehoeWhitsuntide.
„ „34Wimereaux
South Central24Boulogne

(c) School Camps.— The following particulars are taken from
the report made to your School Management Committee by your
Director of Education:—
"Objects.—(i) To supply the benefits of a country holiday,
particularly for those children whose home circumstances render such
a change desirable and who would derive the physical advantages
of such a change.
"(ii) To inculcate good habits of conduct and of personal and
domestic hygiene.
"(iii) To take advantage of all local resources which would
contribute to the education of the children.
"Selection of Children.— It was agreed that the selection of children
should be on grounds of poverty, overcrowding and under-nourishment
rather than for physical reasons alone.
"All children were carefully selected by the Head Teachers and
required to pass a medical examination by the School Medical
Officer. Only children over 11 years of age were sent and usually
the ages ranged between 13 and 14 years.
"Site of Camp.— A standing Camp at St. Helens, Isle of Wight,
was rented for six weeks at very reasonable rates which included
canvas equipment and food. The delightful situation of the camp
on high and well-drained ground, near to the sea and within easy
distance of places of great historical interest, together with the
interesting railway and sea journey, made the time a memorable
one in the lives of the children. Numerous grateful letters from
them and from their parents testify to the enjoyment and benefits
in health and outlook which these children have gained at the
critical period when they are about to leave school and take up their
work in the world.