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50
Superintendent Physiotherapist has written about some of the unsolved
treatment problems in an Appendix to this Report (page 68). The need for
teamwork by all concerned with handicapped children is also stressed.
I am grateful to Mr. D.B. Pettman for the following report:—
St. Giles' Special School for Physically Handicapped and
Delicate Children
This year has been a particularly active one for the school and has
seen the fruition of many plans on the educational side.
The C.S.E. Examination is now firmly established and this year
eleven candidates were entered offering a total of 44 subject entries. The
results were very pleasing, the candidates gaining 8 Grade 1 and 10 Grade
2 marks between them and the average grade being 3.1.
Thanks to the generosity of the St. Augustine's Group, who provided
funds for the purchase of a language teaching system, the school has
started lessons in French. A splendid effort by the ladies of the South
Norwood and Addiscombe Inner Wheel provided funds for the purchase of
an 8mm Loop Projector and a Stereo Record Player. Both these items will
bring added interest and realism to lessons.
A combined effort by the Parents' Association and the Variety Club of
Great Britain resulted in the School being presented with a 20 seater Minicoach
fitted with ramp for wheelchairs together with a garage to house the
coach. This has given the opportunity for all children attending school to
get out and about on educational visits to museums, works, theatres, etc.
The school has been re-wired and the provision of electric power outlets
in all classrooms has enabled the audio¬visual aids to be used
throughout the school. A further improvement has been the additional tarmac
play space. This was much needed and it is now possible for the
various groups to play without interference.
Alterations have been carried out to the toilets resulting in improvement
in facilities for wheelchair cases.
There are 166 children on roll. During the year 24 leavers and 15
admissions. 5 of the new children were Spina Bifida cases.
At routine medical inspections carried out by Dr. Wield, 350 children
were seen and 121 parents were present. Special medical inspections were
held by Dr. Robson, Dr. Fanthorpe and Mr.MacQueen and 63 children were
seen, 41 parents present. The School Nursing Sister and her staff were
responsible for the preparation and follow-up of these examinations, the
maintaining of records and the treatment of minor ailments in addition to
dealing with 40 major epileptic fits and toilet training of 28 children.
The Physiotherapy Department was subject to some disturbance
during this year.