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HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
It is the duty of the local education authority under Section 34 of the Education
Act, 1944, to ascertain what children in their area require special educational
treatment and to provide special education. Places are provided for Enfield
children in day or residential special schools maintained by the London Borough
of Enfield, other local education authorities or voluntary bodies. Enfield special
schools also accommodate some children from adjoining boroughs.
There are 336 Enfield pupils in day special schools and 110 in residential schools.
Children attending residential schools are medically examined annually. Those at
residential schools for maladjusted children are also seen annually at the Child
Guidance Clinic.
The categories of handicapped pupils defined under the Handicapped Pupils
and Special Schools Regulations, 1959 and 1962, are blind, partially sighted, deaf.
partially hearing, educationally sub-normal, epileptic, maladjusted, physically handicapped,
pupils suffering from speech defect, and delicate.
(a) Blind — pupils who have no sight or whose sight is or is likely to become
so defective that they require education by methods not involving the
use of sight. At the end of the year there were two children in special
schools.
(b) Partially sighted — pupils who by reason of defective vision cannot follow
the normal requirements of ordinary schools without detriment to
their sight or to their educational development, but can be educated
by special methods involving the use of sight. At the end of the year,
there were nine children in special schools.
(c) Deaf — pupils with impaired hearing who require education by methods
suitable for pupils with little or no naturally acquired speech or
language. During the year, two children were ascertained: one was
admitted to a day special school and one left the district before being
placed. At the end of the year there were sixteen children in special
schools.
(d) Partially hearing — pupils with impaired hearing whose development of
speech and language, even if retarded, is following a normal pattern,
and who require for their education special arrangements or facilities
though not necessarily all the educational methods used for deaf pupils.
During the year six children were ascertained: three were admitted to
a day special school, one to a day nursery, and two are awaiting
placement. At the end of the year there were 26 children in special
schools, two attending play groups, three attending day nursery and
three at ordinary school.
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