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not accepted unless their intelligence is within the normal range. Hearing, as in
all children with defective speech, is also tested beforehand.
The purpose of the class is to form a sheltered environment for children who
would be unable to benefit from a formal education owing to their inability to
communicate with the teacher or with other children. These children have a social
problem as well as an educational one and, as the class is small, they are able to
benefit from the individual attention they receive. Parents are frequently asked to
visit the class so as to keep in contact with the work that is being done.
Two speech therapists attend the class for four sessions per week altogether.
The children are treated individually and a tape recording is made regularly once a
month as a record of the child's progress. Also, a written speech analysis is made
once a term. The class teacher and speech therapists work closely together and
speech work is incorporated into every aspect of learning, the work being adapted to
the individual need of each child. Regular case discussions take place.
The average length of stay is about three terms. Many of the children have
started speech therapy before entering the class and continue attending the speech
clinic after leaving. Most children are able to take up places in normal school on
leaving this class.
FOOT HEALTH
The former Borough of Ealing had for many years provided a Foot Health Service
for children as part of the School Health Service. This consisted of a systematic
inspection of children's feet carried out by the foot health nurse in schools, together
with clinics where children and their parents could obtain advice from Dr. Catharine
Hollman, the medical officer in charge, about the care of growing feet and the choice
of shoes.
The foot health nurse has continued her inspections in schools in the old Ealing
area of the London Borough and this year has seen 8,181 children. She referred
72 of these children to the foot clinics for further advice and treatment.
As yet, the Foot Health Service has not been extended to the Acton and Southall
areas, as it is expected that the Department of Education and Science will, in the
near future, issue a recommendation for the setting up of a Foot Health Scheme for
school children by each local authority, and it was felt wise to defer extension until
this is received.
The film " 52 Small Bones " is of considerable value in foot health education,
and the demand for the film which was directed by Dr. Hollman in 1963 has been
good, and many copies have been sold in this country and abroad. It obtained the
Gold Award from the B.M.A. Annual Film Competition and this was received by
Dr. Hollman and Mr. C. E. Read (Cameraman) in July at a ceremony at B.M.A.
House. It is pleasing to note that, of all the award winning films, "52 Small Bones"
was the only one chosen for showing at this presentation. Dr. Hollman was asked
to lecture in Cambridge in June at a General Practitioners' Refresher Course, and
attended and spoke at the Annual Conference of the British Boot and Shoe Institution
held at Buxton in November. She has also attended meetings of the Foot Health
Advisory Panel of the B.M.A., of which she is a member.