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156
Periodic Medical Inspection
The figures given in this and all other sections of the report relate
to schools as classified by the Education Act 1944 and are, broadly speaking,
in accordance with the statistical requirements of the Department of Education
and Science.
During 1967 periodic medical inspection of all schools in the
borough was carried out in the appropriate age groups, 6,926 children being
examined.
The arrangements for periodic medical inspection sire summarised
below:
On entry to infant and nursery schools
On entry to the junior school
On entry to the secondary school
During the year in which age fifteen is reached
During the year prior to leaving school
(if more than one year after last routine inspection)
In addition to these complete medical examinations, the hearing of
every child in an infants school or department is tested at the age of six
years (approximately) by a pure tone audiometer, and secondary school pupils
aged thirteen and sixteen plus are given an additional eye test. Those
whose hearing or vision is found to be subnormal are referred for audiometric
or ophthalmic examination and treatment as appropriate.
During 1967 a trial scheme of selective medical examinations of eight
year olds was carried out in three junior schools with the idea of extending
the system to all schools should it prove successful.
Questionnaires were sent to parents by the heads, and information was
also sought from the teaching staff on pupils taking part in the scheme. Only
three parents failed to return questionnaires and the co-operation of parents
and schools was excellent. The forms were examined on their return together
with the child's medical record card (Form 10M) by the school medical officer;
following scrutiny the forms were divided into two groups according to whether
or not the children would have been selected for examination from the
information available. On this occasion all the children were examined and
the details are as follows: