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36
These seven children are progressing satisfactorily academically and
socially with perhaps two exceptions where progress is probably hampered
by lack of maturity and a sense of responsibility.
It would be of much help if parents of all these children manifested more
interest in their school careers. The autumn meeting of parents had to be
cancelled through lack of support.
All pupils attended New Cross Hospital in October for renewal of ear
moulds. It has been arranged that in future new ear moulds will be made
locally by the Authority's own staff.
It is noteworthy that there are now only 3 pupils who rely on the taxi
service. These it is hoped will be travelling independently quite soon.
We have been fortunate in having Mrs. Littlejohn for 2 mornings each
week since September 1970. She gives extra tuition particularly in Maths
and Accounts.
To end on a pleasant note, it is pleasing that two of the pupils were
chosen as Form Captains this year for the autumn. This seems to indicate
that in these two cases integration has succeeded.
EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL PUPILS
In Day Special Schools 324
In Residential Special Schools 20
Awaiting Placement 59
During the year 84 children were ascertained as educationally subnormal,
a considerable increase on earlier years. This followed a circular
letter from the Chief Education Officer to Head Teachers asking for the
names of children who might require this type of special education, as the
imminent opening of St. Nicholas Special School would almost double the
day places available in the Borough. In the event many more names were
submitted than the Medical Officers could deal with. The Educational
Psychologist kindly helped out by carrying out psychometric testing, but
at the end of the year a very large back log of assessments remained to
be done.
Though St. Nicholas School did not open in 1970, some pupils were
admitted in January 1971, and Table 10 in the Report takes account of
this. The waiting list of earlier years has already begun to shrink and
this will be a continuing process.
I am grateful to Mr. R.G. Grice for the following report on the work of
St. Christopher's School in 1970:—