View report page

40
Dr. Lilian Morgan, the school medical officer who is specially
responsible for children with hearing difficulties, comments -
"I have noted on my visits (twice a year) the remarkable
progress which these children are making. Their Teacher
Mrs. Parsons, is to be congratulated on the tremendous effort
she has put into her activities at the Unit. Credit should also
go to the Head Mistress, her teaching staff and the ancillary
help at Kingsley Infants School for their help in integrating
the children of the "Special Unit" into the school.
Unfortunately the Junior P.H.U. which has been equipped for
some time remains unopened owing to lack of a suitable teacher."
Educationally Sub-normal Pupils
In Day Special Schools 206
In Residential Special Schools 20
Awaiting Placement 38
During the year 71 medical recommendations were made in this
category and three of these were passed to the London Borough
of Sutton since that Authority was administratively responsible
for the children concerned. The need for additional educational
provision for the educationally sub-normal was recognised by the
Committee's decision to erect a new purpose-built special school
for such children. Unfortunately this additional accommodation
is not likely to be available for at least two years and in the
meantime the anticipated increase in children ascertained in
this category has continued. It had been recognised that additional
provision would be necessary and indeed the last report
of the County Borough drew attention to an increasing waiting
list. The larger population of the London Borough, together with
the trend towards ascertainment at an earlier age than formerly
have combined to make the immediate problem more acute.
A number of meetings were arranged between officers of the
Education and Health Departments and discussions were continued
during the year. On two occasions representatives from the
Department of Education and Science were invited to attend in an
effort to secure urgent action, bearing in mind the large number
of children who are now awaiting placement together with the
difficulties which educationally sub-normal children inevitably
face in ordinary schools.
I am grateful to Mr. R. G. Grice for a report of which the
following items relate to the School Health Service.