View report page

60
by the ordered freedom and opportunities of this class run on nursery
school lines that they improve and can move out of the border-line group
into the educable class. Conversely, of course, children who cannot cope
even with this class have to be moved into the Occupation Centre, but at
least a sounder judgment can then be made when time has been given to
those concerned to see how they react.
Children who have no educational ability but are forced into learning
by over-zealous parents often develop quite serious behaviour problems,
and are made very unhappy by being asked to do that for which they have
no aptitude and will never use in after life. It is a mistaken kindness to
put an ineducable child (in the sense of the Education Act) into anything
but an Occupation Centre. These children should not be kept too long
in E.S.N, schools and should not come to them at too old an age either.
The entry to the Nursery Class at an early age would prevent many of the
difficult problems we are faced with at ages 9-10 years. When children
have been kept too long in ordinary schools and then the E.S.N. School is
asked to take them in, at ages when the real E.S. child is beginning to
make real progress in the 'three R's', difficulties of placement arise. If
they had come at five to six years it would be easier for everyone concerned
to come to the correct decision about the child's potentialities.
The formation of the Nursery Class has been most useful in this respect.
The "Junior Age Group" children are at Knotts Green School,
though there is no rigid age limit, ability and mental age being decisive
factors. Its very pleasant amenities are much enjoyed by the staff and
children and it is hoped will help them later in their performance, too.
Physical Handicaps.
Epilepsy.
From being a major worry in the School this trouble has recently
receded to a very minor position. One severe epileptic child has left,
we hope to be accommodated eventually in an adult colony. Two boys
have gone to Lingfield, one of whom is doing very well. The other is on
trial and may not manage to "make the grade." It is hoped he will as he
is a difficult child at home.
The other cases, all of very mild type, have given no signs of recurrence
in the past twelve months.
Hearing Defects.
One boy has a hearing aid but his mental retardation is very severe
and he is one of seven cases for whom permission to examine under
section 57(1) has been sought.
Three children suffer from intermittent attacks of deafness and have
to be favourably placed in class.
Much attention is paid to hearing and sight in children who find it
difficult to learn but we do not always get the co-operation from the
parents that we should get in this respect.
Other Defects.
Three children suffer from mild degrees of cerebral palsy and have
adequate physiotherapy.
Three children were sent away for recuperative holidays and benefited
greatly.
One boy, under observation for an unusual speech defect, was under
consideration for possible admission to Moor House School, but he has