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HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
FAIRCROSS SCHOOL
Mr. Holdsworth, the Headmaster, reports as follows:-
"This year has been a happy and successful one for the School.
On the academic side we received passes in the examinations of the
Associated Board of Music, the Royal Society of Arts Commercial Certificates,
the East Anglian Examinations Board Certificate of Secondary Examination,
Grade I, in Art and Craft, Typewriting and Shorthand.
Swimming prowess improves, and several children gained high awards of the
Amateur Swimming Association, the Swimming Teachers Association, the Royal
Life Saving Society, Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals were awarded for the
Personal Survival Tests.
Our population of children handicapped by Spina Bifida increased twofold,
and we doubled our intake of children handicapped by Spastic Quadriplegia.
This increased the pressure of work on our Physiotherapists, Mrs. Walker and
Mrs. Lawrence, to whom we are very indebted.
The School Journey to Broadstairs in May 1969 was very successful. Hotel
accommodation was first class. Educational visits for the week included
Dover Castle, Richborough, Canterbury Cathedral. The Centre for the 1970
School Journey is Swanage Dorset.
Christmas activities included a performance of "Cinderella" given to
parents and friends on the 15th and l6th December 1969. This was full scale
musical production, and the tremendous amount of work put into it by both
children and staff was much appreciated by the audience. A day's entertainment
of the senior citizens from the Almshouses in which a dinner was cooked and
provided by the children was much appreciated. The children's generosity was
such that additional presents were given to the visitors. I feel very proud
of the children for this unselfish thought."
I am also grateful to the Senior Physiotherapist, Mrs. A.D. Walker
for the following report on her work at the school during the year:-
"In 1969 we had 36 children on the list for treatment, each child to
attend two or three times a week. They can be grouped under the following
diagnoses:-
(a) 9 Spina Bifida 3 boys 6 girls
7 have Hydrocephalus, 2 have long calipers and 7 have pelvic bands.
They all walk with two clumpers.
1 walking with one stick.
1 walking without aid.
(b) 12 Spasties 10 boys 2 girls
9 walking without help.
2 walking short distances with a rolater.
1 not walking.
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