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151
a commercial course. During 1965 two pupils were placed in open
employment by the youth employment officer, but one has proved to
be unsuitable due to a progressive lesion. Children at the school
with severe physical handicaps are given the opportunity of
receiving social training, and physiotherapy, and those pupils with
speech defects are treated by the speech therapist.
During 1965 twenty-five children at this school had their
intelligence quotients re-ascertained.
St.Philip's School for Educationally Subnormal Children
Fleetwood House, Leatherhead Road, Chessington.
Since the Borough Council assumed responsibility for this
school, it has been the policy to admit children from the age of
five and not from the age of seven, as previously. This step found
approval not only by the school but also by the parents, who feel
that their children now have a better chance than hitherto when they,
as pupils of an ordinary infant school, had to compete with children
of a higher intelligence than their own. This often had a severe
adverse psychological effect on them.
The older children continue to do well at swimming, and
were awarded several medals by the Amateur Swimming Association.
A total of 20 children left the school during 1965 and with
only a few exceptions were able to maintain themselves in good and
regular employment. Contact is maintained through the St.Philip's
Youth Club run by members of the staff, and girls who have married
visit the school with their babies; they appear to be doing well as
wives and mothers. 65 children had their intelligence quotients
re-ascertained.
Some of the boys who return drive their own cars, having in
some cases passed the Ministry of Transport driving test at the
second attempt.
Types of employment in which success has been achieved:
Factory Hand
Nursery Gardener
Council Labourer
Builder's Labourer
Factory Baker
Storekeeper
Butcher
Electrician's Mate
Machinist
Landscape Gardener
Laundry Assistant
Stockroom Assistant
Garage Hand
Cake Decorator
Milkman
Waitress
Canteen Worker
Groundsman
Plumber's Mate
Railway Porter
Sheet Metal Worker
Timberyard Worker
Trainee Silk Screen
Printer