Medical dates:

Medical character:

In the early 1920s two Open Air Schools were opened for delicate children in Tottenham.  Pupils were selected by the School Medical Officers from neighbouring schools.  The one for boys was located in a shelter in the grounds of Orchard House in St Ann's Road, while the bandstand in Downhills Park as used as a school for girls.

The children suffered from malnutrition, anaemic or other physical disability for which open-air treatment was deemed to be essential.  Classes at both open air schools were held from May to October.

In 1925, alterations were made to the boys' shelter so that classes could be held there all year round.  The new Open Air School opened on 15th June 1925 with 20 boys aged from 6 to 13 years.  By the end of the year the number of pupils had increased to 32.

The School occupied two-fifths of the grounds of Orchard House.  The remainder of the land was given over to allotments.

The classroom consisted of a wooden shelter measuring 20 feet (6.5 metres) on each side - some 400 square feet (39 square metres).  It was completely open on all sides.  Heavy canvas curtains provided some protection in particularly bad weather.  These extended from floor level upwards to about four feet (1.2 metres).  Above them were hinged shutters, which could be adjusted on three sides (north, west and south) to suit the direction of the wind.

The concrete floor was covered with wooden batten boards to protect the feet from cold.  On the coldest days the boys were allowed to have a blanket to wrap around their legs and feet, but it was rare to hear any complaint of cold.

The seating (dual desks) was arranged so that the children faced south.  As the lighting was natural, in dark or foggy conditions, the children in the front received more, as the roof of the shelter sloped downwards from south to north, namely from 7 to 5 feet (2.2 to 1.5 metres).

A slow combustion stove used for heating milk was located in the southwest corner, and could also be used to warm the shelter during cold weather.

Sanitary arrangements consisted of two wash basins, a urinal and seating accommodation for two.

The shelter had a playground on its south and west sides, but this was made of clay and unusable in wet weather.  The children were then mostly confined to the classroom.

Each pupil received a tablespoonful of cod liver oil and malt, and a quarter pint of milk daily.  Lessons included physical exercise and gardening.  The school allotment - some 15 poles - was cultivated by the boys.

Under this regime the children improved physically and mentally.  Regular examinations showed them to have put on weight and gained in muscular tone.  In spite of severe winter weather, there was complete freedom from colds and bronchial troubles.

By 1935 the School was considered a success.  There were 38 boys on the school roll - 10 had withdrawn and 9 had been admitted from local schools.  The average increase in weight for each pupil over the year was 9 lbs (4 kg).  Each received one third of a pint of milk daily, and 18 pupils were also given half an ounce of cod liver oil and malt.  Nine boys received a lunch-time meal daily.  As well as ordinary school lessons, the boys learned gardening, woodwork and other manual tasks.

The School presumably closed on the outbreak of WW2 in 1939.

Present status (December 2019)

Orchard House and its grounds later became part of St Ann's Hospital.  It is now the headquarters of the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.