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" The new gymnasium is the first to be erected for any school in the Borough, the
large hall being 60 ft. by 30 ft. and 16 ft. high. One long wall is almost completely composed
of three large glazed folding door units opening to a playing field, so that open air
conditions are easily obtainable. Twenty-eight sections of wall bars and racks for beam
saddles occupy an end and the other long wall, whilst the fourth wall under the balcony
has doors to changing rooms, entrance vestibule and store room. Across the gymnasium
are two double-double counter balanced booms which can easily be pulled to the sides and
ceiling, also ten climbing ropes on a trackway. The storeroom contains water supply,
troughs and swab for cleaning the floor and is large enough to contain all the portable
apparatus—horse, box, buck, six benches, gymnastic mats on special hooks, Dunlop mats
are being used. At the ends are an electric fan, electric clock and a long posture mirror.
The electric light units are at ceiling height.
The girls' changing room with Nuway rubber mats, has wash-bowls, a dressing
table bench with mirrors, lavatories and a shower bath room with 10 cubicles with oil
silk curtains. The wall sprays are of the adjustable ball and socket type at shoulder
height. The boys' changing room with Roll-up wooden mats has a wash bowl and lavatory
attached. The shower bath annexe is of the ' walk-through ' type with sprays on either
side. All the showers have hot and cold water, the temperature being controlled by premixing
valves.".
The policy of the Committee is to provide a fully equipped gymnasium at each senior
school and plans have been prepared for such a building at the Bulstrode Senior School at an
estimated cost of £6,000. This work is being carried out in conjunction with the drainage and
lay-out of the adjacent playing field. As a result of the large playing fields and playgrounds
on the school site, physical training activities during the summer usually take place under open
air conditions. Special facilities have been given for a physical training class for teachers at the
Spring Grove Central School Gymnasium.
11.—PROVISION OF MEALS.
Dinners.
Selection of Children.—Children are selected by the medical officers at routine or
special examinations or by the Head Teachers on application from the parent. The Head
Teacher is authorised to grant two tickets, and the case is then referred to the Education Office
for assessment. Border line cases of assessments are referred to the Special School Cases
Sub-Committee. During December, 1937, 93 children received free dinners and 8 children
received dinners on payment of part cost.
Approval of Dietaries.—Specimen menus are issued to the Cafes by the School Medical
Officer's Staff and a special Sub-Committee of the Education Committee. Meals are provided
by 5 local Cafes at a cost of 7d. per head per day. In cases where no local Cafe is available the
caretakers undertake the work. Meals are provided during term-time and during holidays with
the exception of Saturdays and Sundays.
Milk Meals.
The number of children having milk at school on 31st March, 1938, was 6,894. Of these,
278 were having free milk and 6,616 were paying part or full cost. Milk is not supplied on
Saturdays or during holidays. The full cost is 5d. per week. Children are either selected by
the School Medical Officer as a result of routine or special medical inspections or join the scheme
voluntarily.
12.—CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Every effort is made to secure the co-operation of parents in the work of the doctors,
dentists and nurses. Parents are invited to attend all routine medical inspections and during 1937
a parent or other relative attended in 3,285 instances, representing 85.2 per cent.
Parents are urged also to attend the Treatment Clinics and it is gratifying to find that an
increasing number of parents do attend and show their desire to obtain, and assist in the treatment
of their children.
The assistance given by teachers is of the greatest value to the School Medical Service.
They make all arrangements for routine medical inspections, and help us considerably in referring
cases to the Clinics, by ensuring regular attendance there, and in their reports on backward and
defective children. It is realised that this assistance involves considerable trouble and is
trequently given when time is short.
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