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In the Annual Report for 1955 it was stated that it had become increasingly
difficult to "ascertain" as delicate a sufficient number of pupils to maintain the school
at its full complement; this particularly applied to the girls. The physical condition
of the pupils continues to improve. It is most significant that of suspected cases of
malnutrition referred to the paediatrician no frank cases have been confirmed since 19^9*
In his report for this year Dr.Hinden states, "it is rare nowadays to see a child who is
suffering from malnutrition". The provision of milk: and meals in schools, a slow but
gradually improving housing position, and a rising standard of living all help to improve
the health of the child. Our new schools can offer facilities similar to those found in
open-air schools and there may not be much physical advantage in a transfer.
A paragraph in my last report, "Bearing these points in mind and with a fuller
appreciation in the ordinary schools of the varying needs of individual children, the
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time is coming when there will be little need for open-air schools for 'delicate' children,
has a bearing on what happened to Fyfield this year. The school was closed on 7th September
because it was not possible to "ascertain" as delicate a sufficient number of pupils to
maintain the school at anything like its full complement.
It will always be necessary to send a certain number of children to residential openair
schools: these will be some of the asthma, "chronic bronchitis", and bronchiectasis
cases. Selected cases of asthma, under the regime of open-air schooling, which includes
special breathing exercises, do well in the main. They have always presented a problem to
the school health service. Now that Fyfield is closed more use will be made of extended
convalescence. Fyfield was in existence over 30 years and it fulfilled its purpose.
NURSERY SCHOOLS
The authority has four nursery schools, two, the Edith Kerrison and the Rebecca
Cheetham, of long duration; and two, Osborne Road and Station Street previously day nurseries,
of short duration.
The schools are visited quarterly by the medical officers for the purpose of examining
the children. The first examination of the child is classed as an "Entrant" inspection;
other examinations during the same year as reinspections. The first inspection in any calendar
year other than in their first year is classed as "Additional Periodic Inspection"; other
examinations during that year as reinspections. The results of inspection during the year are
set out below:-
Number examined
820
Number found to
require treatment
27
Percentage found to
require treatment
3.29
When the children were examined for the first time during the year, their physical condition,
using the Ministry of Education new classification, was as follows
Number examined
403
Satisfactory
402
Percentage
99.75
Unsati sfac tory
1
Percentage
0.25
136