View report page

72
Wood Green. This school consists of two rooms, each of which is
adequately lighted by large windows, both on the right and left of
the scholars. About 35 children were present and the accommodation
is for 50 children.
The children do a certain amount of reading from boards,
using various sizes of type. According to the teachers the standard
of education is about one year behind that of an ordinary elementary
school.
The children are inspected regularly by Dr. Manson and their
eyes are looked after by the Specialist of the District from which
they come.
I also visited the Myope School, Montagu Road, Edmonton.
This school really consists of one classroom, and including two
Enfield children, there are altogether nine children under one
mistress. The children's ages vary from seven to sixteen years
and the sexes are mixed.
During the course of the year I visited the Tottenham School
for the deaf, Philip Lane. The following is a copy of the report
I submitted to the Education Committee in connection with my
visit to the school:—
On Tuesday, 14th November, 1933, a visit was made by Dr.
Forrester and myself to the Philip Lane School for the Deaf. At this
school there are thirteen Enfield children in attendance. Twelve of
these were seen by Dr. Forrester and me; one child we were unable
to see as she was absent due to illness.
The thirteen Enfield children attending this school may be
classified as follows:—
Totally deaf 4
Partially deaf 5
Motor aphasia 4
Some explanation may be useful concerning these three categories.
The totally deaf are those children who have been deaf
from birth and would therefore be deaf and dumb except for
the teaching they receive at a special school. The four deaf and
dumb children at this school are all learning to lip read and to
speak.
The partially deaf children are those who have become deaf due
to disease. Of the five such children attending this school two
are practically totally deaf. The question as to whether these
children are dumb or not depends on the age at which they acquired
their deafness. It will be obvious that if they became deaf before
they learnt to speak they are deaf and dumb from the point of view
of their education. The five children were doing well and learning