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82
Sight-saving classes in central and secondary schools
In September, 1926, sight-saving education for myopic pupils was begun at
Clapton and Peckham (now Honor Oak) county secondary schools for girls and at
the Raine's Foundation school for boys, and still continues.
Three central schools, Regent's Park, the Hugh Myddelton and the Ensham
also provide special education for the partially-sighted. These schools do excellent
work and many scholastic successes have been scored by the pupils.
Central
schools
The following reports have been made during 1937 by Dr. E. M. McVail:—
Three central schools, Regent's Park, Hugh Myddelton and the Ensham, now provide special
education for partially-sighted children.
Regent's Park central school.—The partially-sighted children were first admitted to this
school in January, 1936. Of 14 on the roll, 6 came from ordinary partially-sighted schools, their
educational progress at their schools having justified their higher education. Although some have
been admitted with ocular conditions more serious than originally allowed for ccntral schools,
the children are all doing well, both from the educational and medical standpoints. It is reported
that six are working with " remove " classes, and that their examination results have justified
their classification. Several of the partially-sighted have gained first place in one or other subject.
Where desirable, boys are given extra periods at handicraft and girls at housewifery and confectionery.
No case of myopia has shown any marked increase during the year, and most have remained
stationary. Three or four children are non-myopes with defective vision from such causes
as congenital cataract and choroidal degeneration.
Hugh Myddelton central school.—The number of partially-sighted children is 21, all of whom
are myopes. One was admitted from an ordinary, partially-sighted school. Four have a mean of
5 dioptres of myopia, 8 have 6 dioptres, 5 have 7 dioptres, one has 8 dioptres, and 3 have 9 dioptres.
In 15 who have been examined at the central school over a year or more, the mean increase per
eye per year has averaged rather less than -3 dioptre, and the greatest increase in any child has
been • 53 dioptre.
The partially-sighted share fully in the ordinary life of the school; one has been house captain,
six have been prefects and several have been members of the school orchestra. One boy gained
the geography prize in the Chamber of Commerce examination and three children have passed
the first part of the Junior Supplementary Scholarship examination. The head master writes,
" Some of the most reliable and useful boys and girls I have had in the school have been from
this class."
Ensham central school.—The number of partially-sighted children is 24, of whom 21 arc
myopes. The remaining three have nystagmus and partial albinism with vision of 6-36 or 6-24.
Eight of the 24, including the three non-myopes, were admitted from ordinary partially-sighted
schools.
Of the 21 myopes, 3 have a mean of 4 dioptres, 3 have 5 dioptres, 4 have 6 dioptres, 5 have 7
dioptres, 4 have 8 dioptres, and 2 have 10 dioptres. In 15 who have been examined at the central
school over a year or more, the mean increase per eye per year has averaged approximately-42
dioptre. Four have had an average increase of more than -5 dioptre per eye per year, the highest
increase having been at the rate of 1 06 dioptre.
Seven partially-sighted scholars have, since January, 1933, taken the Oxford school-leaving
certificate, each with 5 or 6 credits. Many have taken London Chamber of Commerce examinations
with distinctions.
Special care is exercised by the staff in the selection of after-school occupations, and nearly
all who have left are very satisfactorily placed. The partially-sighted share fully in the life of the
school.
Secondary
school
Honor Oak secondary school was visited on 13th December, 1937. The total roll was approximately
450, the number of partially-sighted children being 27 ; while 9 children were on easy
treatment and under special observation at school.
The methods of work described in the Annual Report for 1933, vol. Ill, part II (p. 89), are
practically unaltered.
The head mistress states that nearly all the partially-sighted children enter for the leaving
examinations. Two girls have been passed for the Civil Service.
The head mistress has now come to an arrangement whereby scholarship holders can be
transferred from Honor Oak to Clapham trade school for tea-room cookery, or to the SouthEast
London technical institute for home training at any age from 13J years upwards.
Touch-typewriting on Bulletin typewriters is much used for essay work, but scholars still
prefer to write at examinations.
Residential schools and children's homes
The ten children's homes formerly belonging to the metropolitan boards of
guardians, the use of which was continued for this purpose by the Council, viz.,