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46
The annual visit to New Cross Hospital was made on October 17th for
renewal of ear-moulds. The three 1st year girls were fitted with post-aural
aids. These aids are now worn by every pupil except one boy (with the
severest hearing loss) who must still use a body-worn aid.
Visitors have included foreign students, student teachers, a hospital
tutor, local Head Teachers, Mr. Oakley, Dr. Morgan and Mr. Parsons. The
latter examined all pupils on November 18th and was satisfied with their
progress and placement and suggested that the 4th year girl need no longer
be attached to the Unit. A parents' meeting was arranged, for the first time,
in the evening of October 22nd. Parents of only four pupils (all the boys)
attended. Despite the most disappointing response many 'domestic' problems
were fully discussed with the Headmaster and the Unit teacher. It is hoped
that two meetings each year will be held in future.
One most satisfactory aspect of the growing independence and 'normality'
of the pupils is that only four of them now use the taxi service. It is hoped
to persuade all parents that their children can quickly learn the public transport
route to school and that independent travel will do a great deal to help
them to a maturity and self confidence equal to that of the rest of the
school's pupils.
Use continues to be made of the audio and visual aids and the Unit is
building up a useful selection of subject textbooks and library books. A most
welcome gift from a local Townswomen's Guild last year increased the latter.
Interest and help from over thirty members of the staff concerned with the
children's education is much appreciated. It is hoped that the partially
hearing children will make good progress and join in excursions and activities
increasingly.
EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL PUPILS
In Day Special Schools - 251
In Residential Special Schools - 22
Awaiting Placement - 79
During the year 67 children were found to be educationally subnormal in
Croydon, and although this number is considerably greater (34%) than in 1968,
it is similar to those of earlier years. The inevitable result has been the
lengthening of an already considerable waiting list. Progress at the site of the
new St. Nicholas' School has not been as rapid as had been hoped, and the
opening of the school will now be deferred late into 1970. The total number of
children who have been formally ascertained as educationally subnormal in
Croydon still falls short of the number expected on the basis of the distribution
of this handicap within the general population. Evidence has been
adduced in previous reports to support comments by Head Teachers that a
large number of educationally subnormal pupils remain within the ordinary