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(9) Open Air Education.
(a) Opportunity is sometimes taken when weather permits of
holding classes in the playground. Physical exercises, drill and
games are taken in the open air whenever possible.
(b) School journeys to places of educational interest are
undertaken during the Summer months.
(c) School Holiday Camps during the Mid-summer Holiday
are now an established institution. Their value continues to be
increasingly manifest. During 1932, 334 boys attended a School
Holiday Camp at Shoeburyness for a fortnight, and at Dymchurch
Camp, 202 girls attended for a similar period. The selected
children were all previously medically inspected and dentally
examined by the staff, special regard being paid to cleanliness,
suitability and freedom from contagion. The Camps were visited
by a special Committee and one of the School Medical Staff.
Extracts from Reports by Mr. T. Taylorson and Miss L. P.
Wise in connection with the School Camps held at Shoeburyness
and Dymchurch during the Summer Vacation, 1932, will be found
in the Appendix to this Report.
(d) Four schools hold classes during the warmer months in
the open air on the flat roofs provided, and certain schools hold
classes in the neighbouring parks and recreation grounds.
(e) There is one Day Open Air School at Crosby Road for
90 children from the age of 7 years upwards. The accommodation
of the School has recently been increased by the use of the rest
room as an additional class room. Junior boys are now admitted
to the two lower class rooms. The cases are recommended by the
School Medical Staff from their findings at Medical Inspection.
During the year 13 boys and 51 girls were admitted and 1 boy
and 38 girls discharged.
A long period of attendance is usually required, as the home
influences very often detract from the benefit that would otherwise
accrue. The children have the advantage of good meals, morning
milk, and plently of rest, as well as lessons in an open air
environment. They also benefit by spray baths, breathing exercises
and handkerchief and tooth-brush drill.
The scholars are periodically medically examined.
To Miss Davies I am indebted for the following report on the
School:—
The year began with 58 children on the roll and ended with
87. An extra class of thirty children has been formed, in charge
of an additional teacher. To accommodate these children, and
to improve conditions generally, two new cloak rooms have been
added, each fitted with blanket racks and electric apparatus for
heating and drying purposes.
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