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173
enter employment and it is occasionally difficult to discover how
they settle down in the adult community, and if they prove satisfactory
in their employment and adapt without further moves.
There were staff changes during the year. Mrs. Grimble
retired and Mr. Hotchkiss left to enter Industry. The school was
pleased to welcome Mrs. Roan and Miss Stone to the full-time
teaching staff.
Routine medicals and B.C.G.s took place as usual, all leavers
had full medicals and I.Q. re-assessments, all new entrants were
seen in order that their special difficulties could be understood.
In addition to this, repeat I.Q. assessments are done at least once
during each pupil's stay in the school.
There were also visits to eye clinics and dentists conducted
by the Welfare Assistants who contribute much towards the
physical well-being of the pupils.
The swimming pool has been further improved by the addition
of a heater and screens provided by the Parent Teacher
Association. Many happy hours are spent in the water, resulting
in a gratifying number of swimmers.
A film which involved much hard work was made showing the
various activities of the school and other special services in the
borough. The film, "The Very Special Child", was shown with
considerable success at an Open Evening during Education Week.
The traditional seasonal activities took place. The Sports
Meeting with the other special schools was held at Goddington
School this year.
This year, for the first time, senior boys visited the warehouse
to help choose Christmas gifts for the rest of the school.
The seniors themselves received a combined present of two tabletennis
tables which have been extremely well used.
Outings have been many and varied, provided both for
educational purposes and entertainment. Senior pupils with
future employment in mind visited the kitchens and laundry at
Farnborough Hospital, a farm, a bakery, cabinet makers and a
light engineering firm. In addition to this, groups were taken to
various London museums, the Zoo, the Ideal Home Exhibition
and Fashion Show, Biggin Hill, Knole Park and other places of
interest. The seniors combined a trip on the Thames with a
visit to the Tower. All these things help to improve the social
adjustment so important in those of limited intelligence.
There was a Social Evening with folk dancing attended by
seniors and recent leavers which provided valuable contact with
friends who had taken their place in life beyond school.