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from all classrooms. From the moment they are delivered by school bus at the entrance,
the children have no steps or ramps to negotiate. As the photograph in the inset
shows, circulation spaces have been made as wide as possible and doors are wider than
normal to allow easy passage for wheel-chairs. A proportion of the lavatory basins are
set at a lower level than usual for use by children in wheelchairs.
Out of doors the original ground levels have been generally retained, giving undulating
grassed areas round the two tar-paved play pitches for primary and secondary
children. A sand pit is provided for the younger children.
Boarding schools for the physically handicapped
In 1930 defective children in Poor Law institutions became the responsibility of the
Council under the Local Government Act, 1929. Many of these children went to day
special schools from their residential establishments. At the outbreak of the war, day
special school children were evacuated in special parties to country houses, and thus was
developed the pattern of the modern boarding special school.
Boarding special schools for the physically handicapped are intended primarily for
those children whose handicap is so severe that they should live and be taught on the
same premises. In addition these schools are used to accommodate less severely handicapped
children whose homes are unsuitable.
Staplefield Place, near Haywards Heath, has been adapted for 49 physically handicapped
girls, Hatchford Park, near Cobham, has been adapted for 74 physically handicapped
boys and Penbury Grove, Bucks, has been adapted for 38 boys and girls with
dual defects. The photograph in the inset, taken at Penbury Grove, shows the lift
which is essential for the more severely handicapped children.
School activities and amenities
All handicapped pupils, as far as possible, receive a basic education similar to that given
in ordinary schools. Since the children are encouraged to disregard their handicap as
far as they can, they go on school journeys and educational visits, and join in concerts
and the other cultural activities common to the whole education service.
It will be appreciated that the school bus transport system, described above, is
essential for the purposes of these out of school activities. The following paragraphs
briefly summarise the 1957 'activities' of the London schools for the physically handicapped
:
School journeys—three parties, from three schools, totalling 100 pupils, stayed at
hotels at Broadstairs, St. Mary's Bay and Sandown, I.O.W.
Swimming—thirteen parties, from ten schools, totalling 250 pupils, went to swimming
baths each week during the summer term. Two photographs shown in the inset are of a
swimming party from the Caldwell school.
Educational visits—50 parties, totalling 1,570 pupils, went on special visits to places
of historical interest, art galleries and museums, factories, exhibitions, concerts and
recitals, dramatic performances, airports, the zoological gardens, etc.
Special equipment
Arrangements for the supply of educational furniture and equipment of all kinds arc
made by the Education Officer's school equipment division.
An advisory committee on school equipment has been set up which has delegated
to a panel consideration of the needs of handicapped children. The majority of children
are able to use normal class room tables and chairs but special needs are met by the
designing of particular items of furniture and equipment and this is done after discussion
between the Council's medical consultant, a technical officer of the Supplies
Department and a representative of the Education Officer.
Among the special items approved in recent years on the recommendation of the
panel, the following may be mentioned :
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