View report page

121
The following is a summary of the number of children who
attended:—
Number of children on Register on 31st December, 1920 75
Number of children admitted to class during 1921 16
Number of children discharged and re-admitted to
Council Schools, 1921 1
Number of children discharged for unsuitability 2
Number of children left to take up employment 5
Number of children left over age 5
Number of children left—left district 1
Number of children on Register, December 31st, 1921 77
Special classes for dull and backward children have been formed
so far in the following Schools:-Boston Road Boys' (2 classes),
Boston Road Girls, Ecclesbourne Road (2 classes), Princess Road
Girls', Tamworth Road Junior Mixed and Infants'. Due to the
want of accommodation the Inspector has not been able to arrange
similar accommodation in the non-provided schools.
Dull and backward children are delayed mentally for 1, 2 or
even 3 years compared with normal children. A greater delay
usually amounts to a finding of mental deficiency.
PHYSICALLY DEFECTIVE CHILDREN.
The treatment of these children has been discussed under
other headings.
SPEECH DEFECTS CLASS.
Report of Work for Year Ending 31st December, 1921.
The work of this class began on January 17th, 1921, at the
Tamworth Road Council School with a group of 11 children of ages
ranging from 11 to 14 years, chosen by Dr. Kennedy, late Deputy
School Medical Officer. Class instructions were given throughout
the year by Mme. Blazer, who had previously been given the opportunity
for studying the treatment for stammering children at the
Manchester Education Authorities Special Classes, with a view to
placing this new class under her direction. Later on, viz., at the
end of April, the classes were held at the Central Polytechnic.
The method followed, known as the Berquand Method, included
breathing, vocal, and articulation exercises as well as a certain
intoned kind of reading which is the link or transition from chanting
to slow speech. The stammerer aims at a gradual speeding-up
of the smooth drawling mode of speech thus acquired, till it
approaches the normal. The curriculum included also the ordinary
school subjects, such as English, Needlework, Singing and
Drawing.