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SCHOOL HEALTH
The chronically sick and disabled persons act 1970
A joint circular issued in August, 1970, commented in general terms on this
Act. The matters to which it directed attention included the Sections
covering the educational needs of children suffering from autism or other
forms of early childhood psychosis and acute dyslexia, and also the deaf/
blind. A separate Circular 12/70, published in July, 1970, by the Department
of Education and Science, had already urged authorities to review their
local provisions and future plans for the education of children with combined
defects of vision and hearing. We were able to notify the Chief Education
Officer that only two such children were known. One was attending a
school for the blind, and the other was attending the Junior Training School.
Arrangements had been made for the latter to be assessed at one of the
special centres of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Research
Survey of physically
handicapped children
in ordinary schools
A request was received from the Special Services Branch of the Department
of Education and Science for help in a nationwide survey of physically
handicapped children attending ordinary schools. The purpose of the
survey was to determine (a) how many physically handicapped children
there are in ordinary schools; (b) the nature and degree of their handicap;
(c) if they absorb too much of the teachers' time at the expense of the
non-handicapped children; (d) if they derive as much educational benefit
and receive as much medical and nursing attention as they might do in a
special school.
Questionnaires were completed in respect of 150 children suffering from one
or more of twenty-five defects. Seventy-six local schools were involved.
Avoidance of carcinogenic aromatic amines in schools and other
educational establishments
Administrative memorandum 3/70 published by the Department of Education
and Science on the 23rd January, 1970, repeated advice given in a departmental
circular in 1967 and provided a fuller list of potentially carcinogenic
substances which should not be kept in or used in school laboratories.
Ionising radiations
In accordance with instructions issued by the Department of Education and
Science, the Secretary of State's approval is required before certain radioactive
sources are used in schools. Almost all the secondary schools in
the borough are so authorised.
In 1964 various government departments jointly produced a Code of Practice
for the Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from
Medical and Dental Use. This Code applies to the Council's eight dental
clinics which have X-ray machines. During the year 663 pupils were X-rayed.
The number of X-rays taken during the year was 1,592, including 1,454 for
orthodontic purposes.
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