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141
ST. GILES' SCHOOL FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
AND DELICATE CHILDREN
I am indebted to the Head Teacher, Miss Lambert for the
following report:—
The outstanding feature in the life of the school this year has been the opening of the
new block of buildings to provide accommodation for fifty additional children.
The block consists of two classrooms, a General Purposes room and cloakrooms. One
classroom is also equipped for General Science; and the General Purposes Room has
equipment for Domestic Science. Needlework and Tailoring. These rooms are specially
suitable for Senior Pupils and their design, decoration and equipment are very pleasant and
greatly appreciated.
The new buildings were opened in June when fifty children were admitted mostly in
the 5-8 years age range, so that the more Junior classes had to be formed and considerable
regrading done throughout the lower school.
For parties of Seniors the Youth Education Officer has arranged visits to Engineering
Works, to the Central Telephone Exchange, to a hospital and to a department store.
A group of Seniors also, by kind permission of the Chief Education Officer, saw the
Sadlers Wells Ballet. The younger children have been generously entertained by the girls
of Croydon High School and these have been very welcome visitors to St. Giles' School.
A choir group has taken part in the Schools' Carol Service and in the Schools' Musical
Festival at the Civic Hall. Throughout the year visits have been paid in holiday times, by
pupils with the Staff to concerts, art galleries, theatres, museums and other places and
events of interest.
Physical Education in addition to the usual and special exercises has included Football,
Cricket. Netball. Rounders and Tennis. The boys had. again, the previlege of three periods
of training from the F.A. coach. An outdoor Agility Apparatus was installed for the
younger children.
An average of 20 children and 5 Staff attended the Central Baths for the weekly
Swimming Instruction.
In June the School was happy to welcome 200 visitors to the Annual Sports Meeting
Old Scholars keep well in touch with the School and it is gratifying to know that the
great majority are happy in self-supporting employment.
The Staff very much appreciates the continued co-operation and friendship of the
parents with whom several very enjoyable and helpful Parent-Teacher gatherings have taken
place during the year.
DISABILITIES AND TREATMENT.
In the School there have been 70 children disabled by cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis,
tubercular bone disease and by other causes.
Twenty-six children suffered from cardiac disability and 67 from respiratory disorders.
The remainder were delicate from various causes.
Physiotherapy has been given on 4 days per week.
Other treatments, as prescribed, have been given by the Nursing Sister who also treats
Minor Ailments daily, supervises physical welfare, keeping all necessary records of individual
progress.
The appointment of a Male Attendant has now made it possible for a number of severely
disabled boys to have the benefits of school life from which their disability had previously
excluded them.
The system of medical inspection provides that each child is examined at least once
every 6 months and more often if desirable.
There have been 22 inspections during the year at which 371 children were examined,
an average of 17 on each occasion. An average of 9 parents attended each examination.
Parents, children and the Staff of the School desire to record their very grateful
appreciation of the devoted work of Dr. Hegarty at these examinations and in the follow-up
entailed by them.