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160
Of the 364 children interviewed by the Psychologist, 99 were
selected for further investigation and help at the Child Guidance
Clinic. Thus 265 children, who are presenting some problem of
either behaviour or learning, have been seen only by the Psychologist
and in some cases by the School Medical Officer. In addition to a
discussion of these children's difficulties, the Psychologist has sent
an individual report to the school on each child, stating the findings
and making suggestions.
This aspect of the Psychologist's work was further stressed by a
course of six lectures given to teachers in the area on "Problem
Children in the Schools". This was a continuation of an earlier
course, given in the Autumn of 1951.
The Psychologist also lectured at a residential course for
teachers at Wansfell on "Backwardness in the Primary School";
to the Heads of Secondary Schools at Clacton on "What we can
expect from the Child in the Secondary Modern School" (deputising
for the County Psychologist), and by invitation gave a course of
lectures to a large group of teachers in Hertfordshire. In addition
to this, the Psychologist gave six separate talks to Parent-Teacher
Associations, Mothers' Union groups, etc.
The scheme for remedial teaching in reading in the Leyton
Division is proving useful, not only in the help given to individual
children, but in encouraging the teachers with large classes to find
out how the success is being achieved with the small group. The
scheme, which was started in January, 1952, is operated by three
retired teachers under the general supervision of the Borough
Education Officer, the Heads of the schools concerned and the
Educational Psychologist. A group of 12 or 13 children has been
selected in each of five Primary Schools. Each child is of average or
good intelligence, but some two or more years retarded in reading,
and they receive two lessons a week in groups of six. The results
have been very encouraging; so far, every child has regained some
of the lost ground, and some have made up to three years' progress
in a period of two terms. A separate report has been prepared,
giving fuller details of this scheme.
During the year 11 children (all boys) have been given remedial
teaching, two in arithmetic, eight in reading and one in handwriting.
Five improved sufficiently for the special teaching to be discontinued,
and six will go on in 1953. Altogether, these 11 children received
174 lessons (Leyton children 78; Forest children 96).
The number of school visits made during the year was 191:
Leyton 92; Forest 99.