View report page

46
MALADJUSTED PUPILS
In Day Unit - 35
In Day Special Schools - 19
In Residential Special Schools - 91
Awaiting Placement - 15
There was a very marked increase over the previous year in the number
of pupils ascertained as maladjusted; 59 in the year under review compared
with 19 in 1970, and an average of 15 to 20 in previous years. The reason
for such an increase is not immediately apparent. It is probably mainly
accounted for by the fact that the new special school. Sir Cyril Burt,opened
in the Borough in September of the year under review. For the first time in
the Borough there were day places for maladjusted pupils. Children were
therefore ascertained more quickly than might otherwise have been the case
as places acceptable to the parents would be available forthem.
A fairly rapid turnover of day pupils in the new school is hoped for. It
will be most gratifying if these children can be returned to their ordinary
schools after a reasonably brief stay at Sir Cyril Burt School. This ideal
will be much easier to achieve from day school back to day school within the
Borough than from a residential setting where the child has to re-adapt to the
family situation again as well as to a change of school.
The increase in numbers ascertained is probably also partly fortuitous
due to the waiting list for children at the Child Guidance Clinic having been
much reduced during the year. Also a few children with the autistic syndrome
are included under this heading.
It is expected that the number ascertained will show a fall during 1972.
However, the hoped for turnover from Sir Cyril Burt School may mean that the
number ascertained maladjusted in future years will remain at a higher level
than in the past.
The waiting list for places for these children has fallen slightly to 15
from 18 at the end of the previous year, and as Sir Cyril Burt School gradually
takes up its full complement of pupils, this may be expected to fall further.
I am grateful to Mr. A.T. Hughes, the Head Master of Sir Cyril Burt
School, for the following report:—
Sir Cyril Burt School for Maladjusted Children including the Unit for
Autistic Children
The School opened for 3 day children on 7th September, 1971. By 27th.
September other pupils could be admitted, and a further seven children came
into residence on that date. Since then intake has been carefully phased with
the aim of establishing and maintaining a beneficial therapeutic climate within
this community of maladjusted children.
The Autistic Unit will open in January, 1972.