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43
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS
In Day Special Schools - 96
In Residential Special Schools - 8
Awaiting Placement - 12
During the year 30 physically handicapped children were recommended
for admission to a suitable special school. Although waiting lists lengthened
in 1967, the provision of additional accommodation at St. Giles' School enabled
most of the children to be admitted at the commencement of 1968. The
future development of St. Giles' School was considered during the year, especially
in view of the increasing number of children who suffer from spina
bifida.
Spina Bifida (meningomyelocele) is a congenital condition resulting in
the incomplete fusion of the lower end of the spine leading to exposure and
possible paralysis of delicate nerve fibres. Formerly the condition was often
lethal during the first year of life, and even today a significant number of
children die from the condition. By an operation in the first few hours of life,
however, it is now possible to prevent many deaths and to retain useful nerve
function in the lower limbs and to the bladder. Some of the children so treated
will be able to attend ordinary schools but those in whom the operation is less
successful will still require the facilities of special schools. Moreover some
children, whilst they will eventually be capable of attending an ordinary school,
may need some specialised help, usually in relation to bladder function, during
the age period 4 years-7 years. The Education Committee considered their
future and agreed that the provision of a nursery unit at St. Giles' School to
which children could be admitted from the age of 3 years would do much to
overcome the problems which the increasing number of spina bifida children
present. It was recognised that some of the children might later return to
ordinary schools, whilst the more severely handicapped child would remain
at the special school. Proposals were submitted to the Department of Education
and Science for a nursery unit and for the construction of a new
primary school unit which could accommodate these more heavily handicapped
children.
I am grateful to Mr. D.B. Pettman for the following report:ST.
GILES' SCHOOL FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS
The year has been one of consolidation after the recent reorganisation.
Seven candidates offered an average of four subjects each for the 1967
C.SJE. Examination and maintained the high standard set last year. The
average grade obtained was 3.2. Swimming and golf continue to flourish as
school activities and sixteen children received professional instruction in
golf.