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

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Walthamstow 1957

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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43
12. OPEN AIR BOARDING SCHOOL EDUCATION
During the year four boys and three girls were medically
examined prior to returning each term to Kennylands Park School,
Reading, Berks, and a further four boys received examinations before
proceeding to Elmbridge Boys' School, Cranleigh, Surrey, for the
Spring, Summer and Autumn terms.
Premises at the Jubilee Retreat have again been used by parties
from most of the day special schools.
13. PHYSICAL TRAINING
The Committee shares the services of two whole-time
Organisers with two neighbouring areas. Co-operation has continued
along the lines of previous years.
14. PROVISION OF MEALS
During October and November the daily number of meals
exceeded 8,000, or some 40 per cent. of the numbers on the school
roll.
During the same period the daily milk issues averaged over
15,000 per day, or some 75 per cent of the total on the school roll.
School Meals Service.—The Borough Education Officer, in his
report for 1957 states:—
"In April the price charged for a school meal was raised by the
Government from l0d. to 1/- and the number of children having
dinner at school declined from a daily average of 8,806 to 7,959.
A rise in numbers was apparent at the beginning of the Autumn
term but, owing to the Influenza epidemic, this was not maintained.
The Committee continued to provide dinners during school holidays
at selected centres, but the number dropped well below 400, which
was the daily figure for 1956.
"An additional kitchen was opened during the year at the new
McEntee Technical School in Billet Road. Most of the children
served by this kitchen had previously had their meals in the
refectory at the South-West Essex Technical College and this
development, therefore, did nothing to relieve the overloading at
the other kitchens.
"During January and February the Ministry of Education
conducted a thorough survey of the School Meals Service in Walthamstow.
The report issued subsequently confirmed the known
fact that in many cases the premises in Walthamstow used for the