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64
Junior Training Centre
This centre provides for the needs of children between the
ages of 5 and 16. During the year under review some reorganisation
took place so that smaller groups were formed, with the result that
more individual attention could be given.
An innovation was the establishment of a pre-school class
of children whose ages range from 3½ to 5 years. Those children who
showed special aptitudes were placed in a special group so that these
could be developed. It is important in dealing with retarded children
that as much individual tuition as possible can be provided as it is
necessary for those who are so handicapped to be dealt with by a system
of programme learning.
During the year a health education programme for those
attending the junior training centre and adult occupational centre was
instituted. This consisted of film shows on various aspects of hygiene
followed by questions and demonstrations.
Adult Workshops
The adult centre and workshops are equipped to deal with
assembly work. Domestic science training is valuable and emphasis
is placed on social training, a facet which is often lacking in the
adult mentally retarded. So far as is possible the workshops are run
on industrial lines and attempts are made to obtain contracts for assembly
work from local firms.
Social Activities
Pirates Spring Holiday
30 children and adults from the centre had a most successful
week's holiday in July at Pirates Spring holiday camp, Dymchurch. They
included 22 trainees from the borough, 7 from Richmond and 1 from Merton,
and were accompanied by 4 members of staff, a student, and a voluntary
worker.
A Christmas show was performed by the trainees on the 11th
December and was attended by the Mayor accompanied by the Town Clerk,
the Medical Officer of Health, officials from the Council and more than
200 parents and friends. Christmas parties were held for junior and
adult pupils and in the evening of the adult party they were entertained
by the Queen Mother's Pipe Major Leslie DeLaspe. Over the year trainees
have participated in a number of outings, e.g. to the Ice Show at Wembley,
London Airport, and Chessington Zoo.