View report page

from a disability of mind of such a nature or to such an extent as to make them
unsuitable for education at school and cause the decision to be recorded and to
furnish to the local health authority a report of the decision.
Not less than twenty-one days notice in writing of intention to record a decision
must be given to the parent of the child concerned. If within that period the parent
refers the question to the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the decision
may not then be recorded except by direction of the Secretary of State.
Of the twelve cases dealt with under this section, one was referred by the
parent to the Secretary of State for Education and Science, who upheld the decision
of the Education Committee.
Provision is also made under this Section for a review of ascertainment by the
local education authorities, but no children were examined under this provision.
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
Details of the arrangements for vaccination and immunisation under Section 26
of the National Health Service Act, 1946, are given elsewhere in the report. Under
these arrangements children should have received primary immunisation by the time
they are admitted to school, but consent forms for diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis
immunisation are issued to all school entrants so that children whose parents have
not by then taken advantage of the facilities available may have this further opportunity.
In addition, consent forms for poliomyelitis and tetanus immunisation and
smallpox re-vaccination are issued for pupils of fifteen years of age for reinforcing
doses.
Under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, authority has been
given to local health authorities to offer B.C.G. vaccination against tuberculosis to
contacts, to staff likely to be exposed to infection, and to certain groups of children
and students, including school children between their thirteenth and fourteenth
birthdays.
Of the 3,567 children eligible for B.C.G. vaccination, the parents of 2,740
children (76.82%) consented to have a tuberculin skin test carried out, and B.C.G.
vaccination, if necessary. A total of 2,628 children had a tuberculin skin test
and 2,360 (89.8%) were found to require vaccination; of these, 2,349 (99.53%)
were vaccinated.
In September, B.C.G. was again offered to students at the technical colleges,
but no student took advantage of the service.
(See Statistical Table 58)
118