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144
Mary's in Hayes—which have received the attention of the
Service.
The Educational Psychologists have carried out group investigations
in all units for the handicapped—including the play
groups—the Special Opportunity Classes, as well as at the Cheyne
Hospital School and at Woodbrook School. Rating scales have
been drawn up and tried out. The evaluation continues. Some
200 children were thus studied in the handicap group alone.
An experimental questionnaire was drafted in collaboration
with the peripatetic Teachers of the Deaf and Medical Officers
concerned. This questionnaire is to be used by the Teachers of
the Deaf to help the Ascertainment Team.
The annual screening of slow learners at top infant level
continues.
No group work was carried out this year in the secondary
sector. However, Mr. A. Bennett undertook to study the educational
provisions for the slow learners in both the primary and
secondary levels. He thus set out to review the various surveys
carried out nationally, aiming at evaluating the information
available and its implications for the Borough's school population.
Mr. Bennett had indeed embarked on a task of considerable
magnitude. The results of his researching should be ready in the
coming year and no doubt may be helpful in formulating the
necessary educational provisions required.
General Advisory Activities within Education
This year, this little known role of the Service has developed
more vigorously. There have been more teaching seminars and
talks taking place between the Educational Psychologists and
various groups of teachers. Of these, the series on Perceptual
Development was more in the nature of an in-service training
course for remedial teachers and the teachers of special classes
and schools. It demanded considerable preparation of special
material and absorbed a good deal of time.
An in-service training course for teachers in special education
was organised in collaboration with Mr. Gale, Warden at
Stockwell Teachers' Centre, and the Educational Advisers, for the
forthcoming year. In the summer term, the Service arranged a
one-day conference on subnormality to help inform generally
all Education sectors regarding the severely handicapped with the
hope of effecting a desirable set or attitude towards them. It was
well attended and well received.
In the spring term, the staff of the Infant Special Opportunity
Classes and special units enjoyed two educational visits to (1),
the Link School in the Borough of Sutton and (2), Cold Harbour
Training Centre in the Borough of Croydon.
Liaison with Mrs. Powell and the Remedial Service remains