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44
A visit was made to New Cross Hospital for renewal of ear moulds on
the 18th October. The Unit enjoys a very good relationship with the staff
and children in the school and it is hoped this will continue.
EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL PUPILS
In Day Special Schools 256
In Residential Special Schools 20
Awaiting Placement 56
During the year 54 children were ascertained as educationally subnormal
in Croydon, and, although this number accounts for over half of all the handicapped
pupils who were found to be in need of special education in 1968, it
is still much less than in previous years. Evidence was produced in last
year's Report (page 39) which suggests that head teachers may not be putting
forward children in this category because of current waiting lists. During the
last three years the waiting list for available places has remained at approximately
50 and, although many useful interim arrangements have been devised
to ensure that the number does not increase much above this figure, it is
inevitable that Head Teachers should regard such a list as a major deterrent
in putting forward children for possible admission to special schools.
It has been pleasing to note the commencement of building operations
at the site of the new St. Nicholas School, but the date of its actual opening
is awaited with increasing anxiety. Nothing is more distressing to a child
than repeated failure, and from the comments of some head teachers it is
evident that despite their constant and sustained efforts, this sense of failure
becomes all too apparent in the children who need this special type of provision
so urgently. In contrast the progress of children who have been admitted
to St. Christopher's School has been most pleasing, resulting in dramatic improvements
in their approach to school subjects and in their general behaviour.
I am grateful to Mr. R.G. Grice for the following report.