View report page

incidence of spina bifida and assessment of the adequacy of existing and proposed
educational provision. It was found that there were 35 known cases of spina bifida
(a figure well below the national average), 21 of these being pre-school children.
All the school children were satisfactorily placed in ordinary or special schools,
according to their needs.
The National Council of Social Service
In March, this Council sought information on the incidence of school children
of small stature, in the belief that there might be a need for some form of advisory
group or self-help organisation to deal specifically with the social needs of dwarfs
and miniatures. The parents of six children were approached. Interest was shown
in four cases, and the parents asked that their names be given to the National
Council.
National Deaf Children's Society
This Society requested assistance in a survey to determine how help could best
be given to alleviate the difficulties of children with impaired hearing. A questionnaire
was completed giving numbers, by age groups, of hearing impaired children;
the types of schools they attend; the means by which hearing loss is detected; the
provision of hearing aids; the guidance and help given the parents; and nursery
and peripatetic teaching provision.
IONISING RADIATIONS
Guidance as to the health and safety of those working with potentially dangerous
sources of ionising radiations in schools and colleges is given in the Administrative
Memorandum 1/65, issued by the Secretary of State for Education and
Science.
In respect of schools, the approval of the Secretary of State is required before
radioactive sources (other than potassium, uranium and thorium compounds normally
used as a chemical agent) are used. Application on Form I.R.N. (Certificate) is
required when closed sources up to 10 micro-curies each, and up to 30 micro-curies
in aggregate, are to be used as set out by the Association for Science Education
and the Nuffield Foundation in the Modern Physics Reports. 1962 and 1964.
During the year, two further schools (Bishop Stopford and Minchenden) have
been authorised to use closed sources, so that there is now only one secondary school
not so authorised.
In 1964 the Department of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the
Scottish Home and Health Department and the Ministry of Health and Local
Government for Northern Ireland, jointly produced a Code of Practice for the
Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from Medical and Dental
use.
121