View report page

68
"We are constantly being criticised for the high running cost
per head, which is partially due to low enrolment, but which it is
also felt to be due to over expenditure on food.
"I should like to say that one of the chief reasons why the
children have kept well and attended better this year is because
they are able to resist disease through the medium of suitable and
sufficient diet. The children eat heartily and there is no waste,
and I think to reduce either the quantity or quality of the food
provided Is courting disaster and will prove fake economy in
the long run.
" We regret that the response on the part of the parents with
regard to signing forms for dental treatment for their children
has been most disappointing this year, and we can only urge a
better response during the ensuing months."
Children under Five years of Age.—The Superintendent of
Attendance Officers kindly states that on December 20th, 1934,
there were. 448 children on the registers born in the years 1930
and 1931 (i.e., apart from the Nursery School). Every Infants'
Department had such children on its register, the maximum
number being 60, only three departments had less than 10 each.
The average number per department was 23.5.
16. SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
The Authority for the provision of Secondary Schools in your
Borough is the Essex County Council.
17. PARENTS' PAYMENTS.
The approved scales for the recovery of fees in respect of treatment
for tonsils and adenoids, ringworm and dental defects are
set out on the back of the leaflets in use for the purpose of recording
the parents' agreement for such treatment.
In the case of members of the Hospital Savings Association, the
vouchers are accepted in lieu of parents' payments, and the contributions
are recovered from the Association.
The full cost of the appliances supplied under the Orthodontic
Scheme is recovered from the parents before they are supplied.
Except in necessitous cases, parents pay in full for all spectacles
under an agreed scale of charges accepted by all the opticians on
the official rota.