London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wood Green 1925

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]

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than by being segregated in a Special School. Any children who
are, without any doubt whatsoever, unfit for the usual School
curriculum, are recommended for our Joint Special School, at
Finchley. Wood Green sends to this School 10 boys and 3 girls.
They are conveyed there and back in an Ambulance, under supervision,
and a hot meal at midday is supplied.
1 visit this School, at Finchley, on official occasions at intervals
of six months, but in addition to that, keep myself closely in touch
with the arrangements under which the children are taught.
The chief improvement which most of the children show whilst
at this Special School is in general behaviour and handwork; the
addition made to their scholastic attainments is small, and not in
proportion to the time and trouble that is spent by kind and sympathetic
Instructors. I cannot speak too highly of the way in which
Miss Wyldes conducts her work here, and of the interest she takes
in it; but I am not sure that the present-day methods of dealing
with such children are economic.
The after-care of children attending these Special Schools is
under the supervision of the Medical Visitation Officers and Teachers,
controlled by the Care Committee; but this branch of the work is
still in its infancy, and further co-operation and organisation is
required.
(e) I have ascertained that of 46 children who have attended
but have now left our Special School at Finchley:—
16 are engaged as messengers, factory workers, assistants to
milk roundsmen, dressmakers, gardeners, window-cleaners,
shopkeepers, etc.
4 are in domestic service.
4 are in Institutions.
5 have gone to other Schools.
4 are at home.
2 have died.
4 are "in and out" of situations.
2 have gone into the country.
2 have gone abroad.
1 was excluded as Tubercular; and the destinations of two are
unknown.
(f) There are 7 epileptic children on our rolls, and all are being
cared for in their own homes and kept under our supervision.
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