London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

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101
Children who, because of some handicap or combination of
handicaps, are considered not fit for education at school may be
recommended for home tuition.
The examination of educationally subnormal children is carried
out by specially qualified medical officers in accordance with Sections
34 and 57 (as amended) of the Education Act, 1944. In cases
presenting no special difficulty the examination is carried out
by a medical officer of the Health Department, who makes an
appropriate recommendation to the Education Officer. The
Medical Adviser of the Inner London Education Authority deals
with all appeals against recommendations which may be made for
special educational treatment, and with the placing of children
who are considered to be unsuitable for education at school through
disability of mind, together with any cases presenting special
difficulty.
Special schools
There are eleven schools in Wandsworth providing special educational
treatment. Not all the pupils at these schools reside in
Wandsworth and some children who five in the Borough attend
special schools in other areas.

At the end of 1969 the number of children receiving special education at schools in Wandsworth was as follows:—

Type of handicapDayResidential
Blind1177
Deaf2629
Delicate251
Educationally subnormal731
Maladjusted6475
Physically handicapped68

The importance of social training is emphasized at these special
schools. The scope of education has been broadened to stimulate
and maintain the children's interest in the daily activities of the
community and to prepare them to take their place as citizens
and find employment appropriate to their abilities when the time
comes for them to leave school.
Oak Lodge School for deaf children
In January, 1969, a social worker was attached, part-time, to this
school, which is the only senior school for deaf children run by
the I.L.E.A. in London. With the help of the Headmaster she has
been able to give considerable assistance to these children, more
than half of whom are five-day boarders. In addition to the more
usual subjects, the school offers a wide range of activities including
judo, ice-skating, drama and pottery.