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31
The numbers of pre-school handicapped children do not generally reflect
the increase in the preceding two groups. The moderately retarded child is
not usually detected before starting school and while maladjustment for whatever
reason may show before school age, there will generally be no formal
ascertainment of these children until they have begun at school and shown
whether or not they can adapt to the school situation.
I am grateful to the Chief Education Officer for providing school reports
by the Head Teachers of each of the Borough's Day Special Schools. They
will be found under the appropriate heading.

Blind
No blind child was newly ascertained in 1972.
Partially Sighted
Two children were ascertained in this category during the year under
review, both being admitted to St. Luke's School.
St. Luke's Special School for Partially Sighted Children
Steady progress was maintained throughout the year and the children had
greater opportunities of widening their interests. Early in the year a colour
television set was installed; this has increased the children's general knowledge
and stimulated their speech and creative writing.
Additional brightly coloured apparatus for Physical Education has encouraged
greater activity and developed confidence in movement which is
often lacking in visually handicapped children who tend to rely on others to
see for them.
Various educational visits were made during the year including visits
to the Commonwealth Institute, the Horniman Museum and a trip on the River
Thames to Greenwich followed by a tour of the Cutty Sark and Gypsy Moth IV.
A group of children who attended Winterbourne Language Centre were taken
to Dieppe. This was a most valuable experience for the children andthe
success of the visit was due to the efforts of the teacher, Madame Barber,
and her husband.
There were opportunities for parents to meet and to hear some very
interesting speakers. I am grateful to Dr. Clarke, ophthalmologist, Mrs. J.
Kell, Special Schools Adviser to the County of Buckinghamshire, and to
Mr. J. Pope, Headmaster of an I.L.E.A. School for the Partially Sighted for
giving their time to talk to the parents.