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Every effort is made to ensure that the pupils are educated according
to their age, aptitude, and ability. Where ability warrants it, Physically
Handicapped pupils sit for the Grammar School Entrance Examination, and also
Royal Society of Arts Examinations. At Easter, three pupils of the
Physically Handicapped Department will sit the Royal Society of Arts
Examination in Typewriting and English.
With the co-operation of the Youth Employment Officer and the School
Medical Officer every effort is made to place our children in suitable
employment. Advantage is taken of the vocational trailing schemes organised
by the National Spastics Society, but I feel that a scheme is needed which
would embrace all categories of physical handicap.
Our school orchestra goes from strength to strength and last term we
were honoured by being included in the B.B.C. radio programme "News from the
South East". Our Dance, Choral Speech and Drama teams and our School Choir
continue to give a good account of themselves at the Dagenham Schools
Festivals.
I wish to thank my Staff for their loyalty and co-operation. It is
through their hard work that such good results have been achieved and I
greatly appreciate their efforts."
As already mentioned, therapeutic swimming is arranged for some of the
pupils attending the Bentry School, and the following report has been submitted
by Mr. A. Brand, who is responsible for this type of treatment s-
"Though the number of children attending the swimming baths showed an
increase over last year, the total attendances were slightly down. This
paradox was brought about by a number of factors, the inclement weather
last winter being by no means the least.
The children are as keen as ever and look forward with great
enthusiasm to their weekly excursions to the baths. I use the same scheme
of treatment as in previous years, dividing the time into:-
One third general practice
One third individual tuition
One third free time.
Once again, I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Jones, the Sports
Organiser, and his staff, who have rendered every assistance and who take
such an interest in the welfare of these children. I would also like to
appeal for voluntary help to anyone who has a couple of hours free on
Wednesday afternoons and who would like to help in this worth-while work, by
entering the water and assisting me in the instruction of these children."