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76
The Surroundings in the majority of these schools are favourable,
being open and quiet; in 6 of them, however, the reverse obtains,
the schools being on, or near, the main road; not only are the class
rooms noisy, but the playgrounds get very dirty with the dust and
paper blown in.
Ventilation is adequately secured; in addition to sash windows,
fanlights, etc., most classrooms have fresh air inlets and ceiling
ventilators.
Lighting.—In the vast majority of the classrooms the natural
lighting is good and comes from the left. Artificial lighting is either
by electric light or by inverted incandescent burners; the heads of the
various departments are not unanimous on the goodness of their
artificial lighting.
Warming.—The majority of the schools are warmed by hot-water
radiators; some by stoves, some by stoves and radiators combined, and
one by hot air. The problem has not been solved in some of the
classrooms, as evidenced by the temperature charts.
Equipment.—Dual desks are used in all the schools, and are of
various sizes; in Markhouse Infants, in one class, they are an old type,
having no backs; two of the mistresses remarked that very big girls
appeared to be cramped in even the largest desks. Blackboards and
easels are sufficient and in good condition. 1'he general condition as
regards cleanliness of the schools, is, with few exceptions, satisfactory;
these exceptions, which refer to walls and ceilings, are, I believe, to be
seen to this year.
Sanitary Conveniences.—The w.c.'s are mostly automatic in
their water action, being either of the trough or pedestal form; some
schools have a separate cistern for each w.c. The urinals are either of
an asphalt or a composition surface and are flushed either automatically,
or by tap; they are not all perfect—neither are the boys !—but even
with care, it is difficult to avoid smells. Those without a roof are, as a
rule, sweeter and lighter than those roofed in. With one exception,
these offices are in the playground.
Water Supply.—All departments are supplied with basins and
towels, usually situated in the cloakroom. There are taps on the main
in all the lavatories for drinking-water and usually a fountain in the
playground. The cloakrooms usually contain a sufficient number of
pegs, sometimes less than 12 inches apart; they are not all equally lit
nor airy, and a fair proportion have no heating arrangements.
Staff Accommodation.—Many of the schools have two
private rooms, one for the Head and another for the Assistants, also
indoor sanitary convenience; in some of the schools both these
conveniences are wanting.
Playgrounds.—All the provided schools have asphalt playgrounds,
the majority of fair extent, but one or two of the schools are
cramped in this respect.