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to be made, it is already evident that this survey has been
well worth while and it is our intention to deal with other
age groups as soon as possible.
An interesting development in the orthopaedic clinic
has recently taken place in the Borough. In the past, the
orthopaedic clinic has not had an adequate liaison with the
physical training activities in the schools, although the
recommendations of the Orthopaedic Surgeon have been, in
all cases, sent on to the schools for implementation, as far
as possible. It has now been arranged for the Physiotherapist
at the orthopaedic clinic to visit the schools and to discuss
with the Headteachers and Physical Training Instructors the
type of remedial work required in the case of particular
children who had been seen at the orthopaedic clinic. This
is vitally important but, as in so many fields of work,
the number of specialist staff is inadequate for the fullest
co-operation between school and clinic. This matter is
being pursued so that children found to suffer from postural
defects of various kinds may have the fullest benefit not
only of treatment at the clinics but, also, of follow-up
treatment at the schools.
It has long been felt that there should be in the Borough
of Bexley a day school for Physically Handicapped
Pupils and, as is well known, such children are at present
being sent to day schools operated by the London County
Council. Several premises have recently been inspected for
possible adaptation to such a purpose but, so far, no suitable
place has been found. The adaptation of such buildings
is difficult and their maintenance extremely costly. It
is to be hoped that, in the not too distant future, the building
of such a special school may be undertaken in the
locality by the Kent Education Committee. One must refer,
also, in this connection, to the activities of the National
Spastics Society to provide clinics for Spastic children and
there has been much local activity in this respect among
townspeople who are interested in this project. It is essential
that any scheme for the provision, by the Kent Education
Committee, of a Physically Handicapped School should take
into account the special needs of this relatively small, but
hitherto neglected, class of handicapped child. Some of these
children are admitted to the Valence Residential Special
School and home tuition continues to provide further help
for them. Certainly, their needs are being more and more
recognised by the authorities.
Child Guidance work in the Bexley area suffered
a severe set-back by the untimely death, early in 1954, of
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