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HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
FAIRCROSS SCHOOL
Mr. Holdsworth, the Headmaster, reports as follows:-
The School opened on 10th January 1966 with 117 pupils from Old Faircross,
and Bentry Schools P.H. departments. All settled in well, and although faced with
a new and entirely different organisation they were working to a timetable by
Wednesday, 12th January'. My grateful thanks to the Staff for a very successful
and happy beginning.
A very profitable and active first term followed, the highlights of which
were:-
(1) The Easter Service attended by the Chief Education Officer, J. L. Haselden,
Esq., Mr. Newall, Miss Storm, visitors from Dr. Barnardo's, Staffs and
children from neighbouring schools, old age pensioners, Friends from the Old
People's Home, Parents and Old Scholars. The Service was conducted by the
children.
(2) Visits to the Royal Festival Hall.
(3) Visits to the Earnest Read Music Association Concert at the Royal Albert
Hall.
(4) Visits to the British Museum, the Maritime Museum, Commonwealth Exhibition.
(5) School Outing to Margate, Kent. I was delighted to see the whole school
turn out for the day. Arrangements for wheelchairs made by the Beachmaster
were first-class.
(6) A Bring and Buy Sale in which £108 was collected. This was divided 76to
the Pool Fund and £32 to the School Fund.
Staff changes were few. Mrs. S. Weir left us at the end of the Easter Term
to commence her family and was replaced by Miss R. Morris from the Inner London
Education Authority. Mrs. Carney, Peripatetic Teacher of the Deaf visits the
School each Thursday, and Miss C. Delaforce visits Thursday mornings. We are
fortunate in obtaining the services of Miss A. Dotzler as Physiotherapist. She
is, I fear, much overworked and I would welcome the services of a part-time
Physiotherapist to ease her burden. Mr. A. Burke has left us to take up a Headship
of a Special School in Middlesborough. He will be replaced by Mrs. E.
Purkiss from Inner London. Mr. R. Norman was appointed Deputy Head.
Since Easter this year, the main item of moment was the Official Opening of
the School performed by Qroup Captain Douglas Bader. He was an immediate
success with the children.
The School has been host to three important in-service courses to teachers:-
(1) The Difficult Child in the Classroom Situation.
(2) The Institute of Education Course on the Slow Learning Child.
(3) I.L.E.A. Course for Students taking the Diploma in Teaching of Handicapped
Children.
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