View report page

Crosby Road Open-air School. This is a day open-air
school, situated in Forest Gate. It has accommodation for 60 girls
and junior boys aged 7 years and upwards. The children are recommended
by the school medical staff for attendance at the school,
and periodic medical examinations are made while they are there.
While they are at the school, the children have the benefit of spray
baths, breathing exercises and handkerchief and tooth-brush drill.
The children attend the swimming baths at Romford Road, and
the girls the domestic centre for cookery and housecraft. Good

meals are provided, and in the morning they have milk. Lessons
take place largely in an open-air environment.
During the year 16 children were admitted, and 15 were
discharged.
I am indebted to the headmistress (Miss Davies) for the
following note on the work of the school.
"The year ended with 34 girls and 18 boys in attendance.
The average age of the children is lower than that of previous
years. The wide age range—6 years to 14 and over—and the fact
that there are only two classes, increase the difficulty of teaching,
and individual methods are the only ones practicable.
In addition to the usual school subjects, gardening is a
most important and useful form of handwork. This year, added
attention has been given to art and weaving. Physical training
and country dancing are enjoyed, and help, with well balanced
meals, a daily rest period, and the maximum of fresh air, to
improve the health of the children, and render possible their return
to ordinary school. Great stress is laid on personal hygiene, and
valuable social training is given. Adequate warm clothing,
blankets, and good shoes are provided for the winter months,
while during the summer the children wear light cotton sun suits.
418