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Hospital Classes
I am indebted to Mr. J. Power, M.A., Borough Education
Officer Tottenham, for the following report:-
"The tuition of children in the St. Ann's and Prince of Wales's
Hospitals has continued progressively over the past year.
Some children attend the classroom provided in one of the
wards, while others receive lessons in bed. Outside wards are
visited and here children are taught in cubicles.
The age range being from 4½ years to 15 years, Nursery
teaching is included with Primary, Secondary and Grammar. Both
long and short term patients have lessons. Practically all the teaching
is individual, but often those children of the same age, who are
well enough to attend the classroom, can be grouped for nature, History
and geography lessons. Here the radio, record player, and television
can be used, when convenient to hospital routine.
The children are keen to have lessons, not only because
children like, to some extent, to be organised, but because then they
do not feel set apart through being in hospital.
Individual work helps the child tremendously. He is able to
work at his own pace and the nervous child in particular gains confidence.
Pupils' interests and hobbies are encouraged. For long
term patients close liaison is maintained with the school. Often long
term children have been transferred from other hospitals (where there
is no teaching) in order to benefit from lessons.
After being discharged children often return to visit the hospital
classes, which shows that the experience of lessons in hospital has
not been forgotten. Parents also gratefully acknowledge the benefit
gained by their children.
The help given by the Tottenham Library service during the
year has been greatly appreciated, and also the co-operation of the
hospital staff".
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