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THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
The development of the school health service began towards
the end of the nineteenth century and the earliest mention of the
services provided in Romford is found in the Medical Officer of
Health's report for 1911, when it was stated that "a Special Medical
Inspector, appointed by the County Council, visits schools at
times stated and in cases of impaired health of children (eyes,
adenoids etc.) the parents are instructed to seek medical advice."
In his report for the following year the Medical Officer of
Health also states "a nurse has now been appointed to look after
children suffering from whooping cough, ringworm, vermin, etc."
Following the coming into force of the Education Act 1944
the Borough of Romford became an "Excepted District" for the
purpose of the Act and on 1st October, 1946, the Medical Officer
of Health for Romford was appointed Acting Borough School
Medical Officer, and took over the administration of the School
Health Services which had previously been the responsibility of
the Essex County Council. At that time there were 15 County,
Voluntary or Assisted Schools in the Borough comprising 23 departments
and the school population was approximately 8,500.
In the 18 years which have followed the population of the
Borough has increased enormously and in 1964 there were over
20,000 schoolchildren attending 56 schools in Romford. The
School Health Service has expanded to meet the demands of the
increased school population and the services provided have widened
in scope to keep abreast of the changing medical and social needs
of the school child. Not least important has been the work carried
out in connection with the assessment of pupils handicapped by
mental or physical disability and the educational facilities provided
for them. In addition to Havering Grange School which
provides special education for 100 educationally sub-normal children,
two Nursery classes for maladjusted children are successfully
operating and a special unit for disturbed children has recently
been inaugurated.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE 1964
School Population 20,235
Primary Schools 40
Secondary and Grammar Schools 15
Special School for Handicapped Pupils 1
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