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MALADJUSTMENT
The E.S.N, child has many problems besides his educational failure and some of
them need help with these problems from other sources than the school. Three children
have started treatment at the local Child Guidance Clinic and one is attending at the
psychiatric children's unit at ffhipps Cross Hospital. Already the school and parents
report an improvement in two of the children. This new service is very much appreciated.
FOLLOW-UP AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL
Our liaison with the Juvenile Employment Officer is good. He visits the school
~ach term and sees children, parents and staff: if he cannot see the school medical
officer cases are discussed over the telephone and a written report is also given.
1962 has been a more difficult year than for many years past as regards employment and
some children who were expected to do well have not been in regular work.
The type of work obtained is very varied - butcher, baker, bootmaker, machinist,
factory work, dressmaking, assistant in veterinary surgery and kennels, shop assistant
in a furniture store. One boy who has relatives in the printing trade was given a chance
as an apprentice.
The headmaster follows-up the children after they leave school and a number of
children return to the school to report how they are getting on or if they are in
difficulties, to ask for help. A few children approach the Health Department too when
difficulties arise and advice is given.
LEA BRIDGE ROAD SCHOOL FOR MALADJUSTED CHILDREN
The numbers at the school for maladjusted children have remained around 30 for the
past year: still showing the same pattern of a preponderance of boys over girls as has
been noted elsewhere. Some children who very much require treatment at this school have
not been admitted because of parental opposition: coercion is not the answer as to do
much good in these disturbed cases the co-operation of the parents is essential. The
parents of some children who are attending are not co-operative but at least they do
not obstruct and though this makes the task of the staff much harder the children do
get some benefit from the school.
Two problems are causing concern, one is the age at which to admit children so
that the child himself can benefit and also least disturb the children already in the
school. The other is how to prepare the older child for return to normal educational
stream.
Newly admitted children can be disruptive to a class already settling down and
coping with their problems to some extent. Especially disturbing is the older child
over 10 years of age - who may have to be put into a class almost ready for discharge
and he or she can cause much anxiety to children and staff alike. If there was another
class, slightly separate from the main school, which would take in older new admissions
this difficulty would be solved.
Now that the school is three years old there are a number of children of secondary
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