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Grange wood Occupation Centre.
The Occupation Centre is under the control of the Mental
Deficiency Committee, and deals only with cases ineducable in a
Special School.
The Centre is open for five days a week from 9.30 a.m. to
3.30 p.m. and occupies rooms on the ground floor of Grange wood
Museum. The special school which occupied the floor above
removed to new premises at the old Rectory Manor School, Mitcham
Road, toward the end of the year. Younger children attend
daily mornings and afternoons (10 sessions) and the senior girls on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2 to 3.30 (3 sessions).
Senior boys on Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 3.30. The
premises are not very suitable, as there are insufficient rooms
available to allow of proper separation of the different grades of
children. The premises vacated by the special school will be occupied
by the Centre, by the permission of the Roads Committee, who
however, have only granted the lease for one year. The Mental
Deficiency Committee are considering the matter of alternative and
more suitable accommodation.
The staff consists of a supervisor and three assistants. The
subjects taught to the younger children are, rhythmic movement
drill band, rhythmic singing games, singing, sense training
memory, colour, sound, numbers, elements of stitching and rag
making. As handicrafts are taught cork bead mat making, paper
winding, mats, raffia weaving, knitting, ravelling, wool sorting.
In addition balancing exercises, team games, country dancing are
indulged in.
The senior girls have instruction in hemstitching, English
embroidery, wool embroidery, knitting of babies' woollies, vests,
socks, making of plain frocks for children, overalls, plain sewing
of pillow slips, tea cloths. As handicraft work, papier mache bowls,
sea grass stools, baskets, simple pewter work, are made. Country
dancing, drill and singing are also taught.
The senior boys learn basket making, making wool rags, sea
grass stools, raffia and cane work, papier mache bowls.
All grades have domestic duty in preparing meals, washing up,
polishing, etc.