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With regard to category 8 (referral to Child Guidance Clinic), the Educational Psychologist can only refer to the
Local Authority Child Guidance Clinic at The Willows. The hospital clinics only accept referrals from medical
practitioners. At the best level of co-operation, this situation means a delay while a child is channelled through the
proper administration (e.g. the G.P. or School Health). It is not yet known whether the future reorganisation of the
Health Service may affect this particular matter, but it is to be hoped the happy and harmonious relationship with
School Health will continue.
(C) Group Studies
Within the extended special educational provisions, group studies continue with the aid of the infant rating
scales for the younger age groups. The questionaire for children with hearing impairment has been tried out by the
peripatetic teachers of the deaf and has proved helpful to the Hearing Impaired Ascertainment Team. The final
form for the annual screening of slow learners at top infant level was redesigned. The number of slow learners
referred by Head Teachers had dropped gradually over the past five years. As screening for slow learners by group
testing is impossible because of the work involved, it was thought desirable to change referral format by introducing
more precise guide lines and re-structuring the form differently. Results were encouraging. The Head Teachers like
the revised form and the number of children referred increased.
(D) General Advisory Activity
The problems of adequate provision for children who fail to learn the basic skills of literacy and numeracy
still concerns the Service. On this question, the traditional approach of the Educational Psychologists advising on
individual children brought to their notice, is far from meeting the general need in schools. A more economical,
practical and efficient deployment of professional resources is required and a system of in-service training courses
for teachers is forecast as a possible solution.
This year, the staff of the Opportunity Classes and Special Infants Classes did not go on educational visits.
Together with the staff of the Phoenix Centre and Cheyne Hospital School, they attended special films and
seminar sessions at Stock well Teachers Centre, on different aspects of their work.
The Hearing Impaired Ascertainment Team has met regularly at St. Paul's Wood Hill and also at the Darrick
Wood Unit. This group of specialist teachers, School Medical Officers and Educational Psychologists, is working
very happily together.
Regular quarterly meetings with the Tutorial Teachers and some meetings with Dr. Rodriguez have taken
place at St. Paul's Wood Hill and Bromley Hospital. Close collaboration with Mrs Powell and the Remedial
Teachers continues to be free and easy throughout the year.
(E) Staff
This year the Service, which had been manned by three Educational Psychologists, achieved its full
establishment, and enjoys a very competent and friendly staff and it has acquired through the years a sound
basic working pattern. The Service should continue to meet the various demands made on it, given an adequate
staffing ratio. Another full-time clerical assistant and at least one more Educational Psychologist appear to be
required in the immediate future.
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