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224
Cases on Leave from Institution.
There are 9 cases on licence from institutions. Five are boys,
and of these 3 are in regular employment and 2 are in Mayday
Hospital. Four girls—2 in regular work, and 2 on trial in Homes.
St. Christopher's Special School.
The year 1933 opened with 105 scholars on the roll. During
the year 29 children have been admitted, and 24 have left, giving
a number of 110 on December 31st—65 boys, 45 girls.
This is a School for Mentally Deficient children of the educable
type, and in general appearance and behaviour they compare very
favourably with normal children attending the Council's elementary
schools.
The School has now been in existence for over 21 years, but
1933 marks a great advance in the work and status of the School
In October the School was moved from the Grange Wood Mansion
to the old Rectory Manor School premises. These have been
re-decorated and re-conditioned, and though, perhaps the School
does not present a modern exterior, yet, the interior is now a
satisfactory school building with a large hall, class-rooms, kitchen,
bathroom and staff-rooms, etc. There is ample playground space,
and each class has its own garden. The move has been a wise one,
and it has been particularly interesting to observe the reaction of
the children to their new environment, and to note that, unconsciously
perhaps, they now take a pride in their School, and this is
reflected in their demeanour, and in their attitude to work. They
frequently remark:—''We have a School of our own now."
The year has been one of good steady progress. The teachers
have been helped by the scholars' good attendance. It is very
seldom that children are absent, except for some really good reason.
The children have had several outings in 1933. About 50 had
a long day at Littlehampton in July, and visits were also made
to the Zoo and Windsor Castle. These are very popular, and is
far as possible, the poorest children are taken on these excursions.
The children's prowess in Country Dancing is especially to be
commended. It would be an "eye-opener" to many to see what
they can do in this part of their training. The School now forms
a group with a few elementary schools. and the children frequently
attend Country Dance Parties, and take part in the dances. The
Head Teacher would welcome visitors to see the games and dancing.