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48
Mrs. Julia Robertson, Speech Therapist, visits the School monthly. She
has reviewed the requirements of the existing autistic pupils, and finds their
speech needs are being met satisfactorily by the School staff. As autistic
pupils are admitted more frequent speech therapy will be required.
Dental Provision
Resident pupils have visited a dentist. Some had not visited a dentist
for some time, and the consideration they received has caused many children
to reverse previous unhelpful attitudes toward dental care.
General Health
There have been virtually no illnesses amongst resident pupils. We have
not yet had cause to use the sick bay.
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS
Twelve children were ascertained in this category, rather fewer than in
the previous year. All these children were placed in special schools, chiefly
at St. Giles' Day School, and there was no waiting list at the end of the year
under review. The policy of placing only the more severely handicapped
children at St. Giles' School continues and the total number of pupils there is
110, of which the spina bifida children (26) now form the largest group. The
Ministry Survey on Physically Handicapped Children at ordinary school found
that in 1970 there were 46 ofthese pupils at normal school in Croydon, and
this number will probably tend to increase somewhat overthe next few years.
However, though it is generally considered advantageous for physically
handicapped children to attend normal school, the facilities, equipment and
specialist ancillary staff providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy,
speech therapy and nursing attention necessary for many of these children
are not available there. Few Teachers in normal school have special training
in dealing with the handicapped, and the philosophy of educating towards
independence may often, particularly for the severely handicapped, be
better put into practice by teachers with special training. There will be a
place for a school of the St. Giles' type in the educational provision for the
foreseeable future.
The fall in numbers at the school has made it possible to consider a
nursery class there for the younger physically handicapped, and this will be
provided next year. A small Unit for children with hearing defect and
physical handicap is also to be opened next year.
I am grateful to Mr. D.B. Pettman for the report on the School for 1971.
St. Giles' Special School for Physically Handicapped Children
This year has seen a marked change in the pupil population of the
school. During the period under survey there were 38 leavers to other schools
or employment and 2 children died. Of the leavers, 9 were cerebral palsy cases.