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185
SPECIAL DAY SCHOOLS FOR EDUCATIONALLY
SUB-NORMAL CHILDREN
Goddington School, Orpington
Twenty children left during the year and 21 were admitted—
the school roll was maintained at 129.
The medical work continued as before with one session a
week devoted to "special" medicals and total reassessments of the
children. Discussions with the teaching staff and other agencies
have continued in the spirit of frankness and mutual confidence.
The child and his family derived clear benefit from such multi
disciplinary approach.
Two teachers having left. Miss Davies and Mr. Hoey filled
the resulting vacancies.
The advent of the mini-bus described in the closing paragraph
of the last Report proved to be a milestone in the School's
outside activities. Goddington combined with Grovelands to
borrow each other's buses so that two classes could visit places
of interest at any one time.
Swimming remains a popular activity throughout the year.
Many children attend Swanley Baths in the evenings, together with
three Goddington teachers who provide lessons and supervision.
The joint swimming pool project with Blenheim Junior School
is very near completion and it should be in use during the early
part of the Summer Term, 1970.
The Parents and Friends of Goddington School have raised
nearly £2.400 towards the cost of the pool—a truly magnificent
effort from a small body of people.
The senior boys and the senior girls have extended their
activities considerably. Their two classrooms have been adapted
and furnished so that the children now regard themselves as young
adults. Easy chairs, carpets, record players, etc., have been installed.
This was possible through the generosity of the Rotary
Club of Orpington and the Round Table Clubs of Orpington and
Farnborough.
Thirty-two boys and girls have been in employment since the
School opened in 1964. The children maintained a close contact
with the School and some come to spend a day at their old School.
They are all well integrated socially and lead a successful life.
Just as an ordinary school prepares a child for adult life, the
Special School has this task made more difficult through intellectual
retardation, frequently complicated by social and emotional
problems of the children. In spite of the difficulties, in 1969 as in
the year before, Goddington has achieved its targets and
objectives.