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BENTRY SPECIAL SCHOOL
All physically handicapped children at this school are seen at six monthly intervals,
and reports of each medical inspection are sent to the medical officers of the district in
which the child lives; all educationally sub-normal children are seen at the normal
periodic inspection but many, in view of their poor physical condition, are seen annually.
Again reports are sent to the medical officers concerned. It has recently been arranged
with the Borough Education Officer that Dr. H. Mair will, in consultation with Mr.
Hurton (Headmaster), interview and examine all physically handicapped applicants to
the school in the term before their admission so that any special arrangements necessary
can be made, e.g., provision of wheel chairs or walking aids before the child's admission.
It is necessary to stress the importance of co-operation between the medical and
nursing staff and the head teachers of special schools, and here I would like to thank
Mr. Hurton for the increasing co-operation he has given during the year.
The following is the report of the physiotherapist, Mr. A. Brand, who attends for
two sessions per week:—
During the past year 47 pupils received physiotherapy treatment at Bentry School.
Total attendance including physiotherapy and exercise was 1,255.
By far the biggest event of the year was the introduction of therapeutic swimming,
a scheme which I have had in mind for a long time, which with the co-operation of the
medical officer and the authorities concerned at South East Essex Technical College, at
last bore fruit and we were able to commence in the autumn term. Between 12 and 15
children attended swimming sessions which were carried out at South East Essex Technical
College swimming bath weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Most of these were poliomyelitis and spastic children. We have four successes from
non-swimmers to swimmers in three weeks and one who, though unable to use her legs,
did 13½ lengths of the baths. I think the benefit of the swimming has been great, both
physically and mentally.
I must thank Mr. Jones, Director of Physical Education at South East Essex Technical
College, who arranged for his staff to assist and whose enthusiasm and help has been
most encouraging, and also thank the senior students who offered their help in their
free time, and organised a Christmas Party for the children.
The physiotherapy work at the school has continued on much the same lines as
before. The Infra Red Lamp has proved a great help, and of course, the parallel bars
and Guthrie-Smith apparatus have been invaluable.
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