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57
SECTION 6
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
The figures relating to the School Health Service do
not reveal any unexpected alteration in the normal pattern.
Probably the best general guide to health of the school
child is the proportion of children found to be in an
unsatisfactory condition compared with those who are in a
satisfactory state of health.
The percentage this year is ,36.
The handicapped school child requiring special educa
tional facilities can now be placed without undue delay.
Although it has long been acknowledged that Health
Education carried out in schools by Health Visitors is of
value, recently Head Teachers in Ealing have become
increasingly interested in the idea. This is encouraging,
for to be of value this service must have been requested
by a school rather than pressed upon it. The work has
been done in one Ealing school for the last five years
but it has been extended recently and courses are now
given in four Secondary Modern Girls Schools. It is felt3
not least by the Health Visitors doing this work, that
apart from a wide knowledge of health matters a grasp of
the technique of Health Education is essential if the
interest of young listeners is to be held. We have therefore
made it a rule that all Health Visitors in Ealing
doing this work should hold the Woman Public Health
Officers Certificate in Teaching Methods in Health Education.
The purpose is essentially preparation for adult life
and includes the following:-
Physical and emotional development in adolescence.
Courtship and Marriage.
Budgeting.
Parentcraft (the physical and mental development of
children and their care).
Prevention of accidents.
Meaning of good health.
Human relations (stressing the idea that all are
members of a community, having responsibility to
and for others).
The response, both of Head Teachers and the girls
themselves has shown that the courses are appreciated
and suggests that there is a wider scope still for this
work.