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JUNIOR TRAINING CENTRE
When the London Borough of Barking took over the Junior Training Centre in
Ripple Road from the Essex County Council in April 1965, no less than 103 trainees
were accommodated in premises built as a school in the 1890's. These 103 trainees
consisted of 65 juniors (16 years old and less) and 38 girls and adults over this
age. The average daily attendance during the year was 91.
Curriculum
The principle of teaching trainees, especially the junior group, the
fundamentals of reading, writing and numbers, has been continued and developed by
the Supervisor in charge, Mrs. Early. This practice has attracted the attention
of several teaching bodies who have consequently sent their students to the
Training Centre for instruction in teaching methods for the mentally subnormal,
viz:-
National Association for Mental Several foreign visitors.
Health Students taking teacher training
courses.
Six weeks' full-time placement
for training in respect of two
students.
Chiswick Polytechnic: 16 students taking teacher
training courses.
Senior girls from Park Modern Secondary School, Dane Secondary School,
Ilford, and Fairlop Secondary Modern School.
During this year, 8 of the adult girls took the first part of the Red Cross
Examination in First Aid - all were successful (the examiner was a member of the
Red Cross). Also 7 of the juniors were awarded certificates for 15 yards free
style swimming.
Industrial Work
The adult girls are given light industrial work for regular periods each day.
This included the assembly of pot scourers and the assembly of certain record
player parts. We are grateful to the firms concerned for providing this work.
As a result of these contracts, approximately £400 was earned, and distributed to
the girls concerned.
Social Activities
In order to encourage the trainees to take part in and enjoy the innumerable
activities that are available, the following social visits were made:-
The B.B.C. "Joe Loss Lunch Time Music" Programme (older girls)
St. George's Hospital, Hornchurch (older girls - Red Cross group)
Bertram Mills' Circus (older girls)
Pantomime - Robin Hood (juniors)
Transport Museum, London (Junior Class II)
Film - "Mary Poppins" (juniors and adult girls)
P.D.S.A. Hospital (Junior Class III)
Barking Red Cross Society (adult girls)
Canterbury Cathedral and Heme Bay (adult girls)
Annual outing, Chalkwell (juniors)
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