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HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
FAIRCROSS SCHOOL
Mr. Holdsworth, the Headmaster, reports as follows:-
"There are 116 children on the roll of the school, which celebrated its
opening on the 11th January.
Staffing has been very stable with resultant benefit to the children. The
seniors have entered for external examinations of the Royal Society of Arts in
English and Commercial Subjects. Pitman's Shorthand and Typewriting examinations
and the Incorporated Phonographic Society Examinations Grade 1 and
Grade 2 in Typewriting. I am pleased to state that in addition to the
Commercial Course we have developed Typing as a means of communication for our
cerebral palsied children.
The school orchestra and choir grow in number and proficiency. At the
Barking Schools Festival both gained high honours. Individual tuition in
piano, strings, brass, and voice is given to children of promise.
In swimming we have gained many Local and National awards; included in
these is the Amateur Swimming Association bronze, and silver, award for
Personal Survival, and Life Saving is being developed.
A prominent feature this year has been the growth of Art and Craft in the
school and the gaining of National Awards in this field. As a consequence,
there has developed a keen interest in visiting other schools to see the work
done, and in visiting art galleries and exhibitions.
Other out of school activities include visits to the London museums,
Brentwood Farm, Greenwich Nautical Museum and concerts at the Royal Festival
Hall and Albert Hall. A very happy day was spent at Margate when the whole
school, and parents, repaired there in June.
Community service spirit is fostered by inviting the general public,
other schools, and the senior citizens to the school functions, which included
a performance of "Aladdin" at Christmas, and a Harvest Festival Service from
which the produce was taken by the children to the needy. In addition Mr. R. D.
Norman, Deputy Head, and myself have given talks to many organisations on the
work of the school, and as a result a better understanding of our children and
their needs is developed, and a better acceptance by the public is fostered.
A very happy "family" spirit prevails in the school. For this, all praise
is due to the entire staff - teaching, medical and ancillary. My grateful
thanks to all."
BENTRY SCHOOL
I have received the following report from Mr. Hurton, the Headmaster:-
"This school can cater for a maximum of 240 children in twelve classes.
However, in 1967 the number of children on roll varied between 191 and 197 and
there was no waiting list.
The school is functioning well, and standards continue to improve. Great
attention is paid to developing social maturity and a programme of factory
visits has been carried out by the Senior Pupils to help fit them for 'After
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