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138
extension in, the Authority's existing arrangements which he
might consider necessary, arising out of the Board's Circular.
The following is a copy of my report presented to the Special
School Provision Sub-Committee on the 12th October, 1925:—
Special Schools foe Defective Children.
I have to report on Circular No. 1349 of the Board of
Education, Medical Branch, as follows:—
(1) Blind and Deaf Children.
The Circular states that provision should be made for all
children who are blind or deaf within the meaning of the Act
and who are not already in Special Schools.
I have no record of any totally blind children under the age
of 16 years.
There are two partially blind children attending special
schools; one is attending a public elementary school, awaiting
admission to a special school; one is attending a private school;
and one is not attending any school, being frequently out of
the district.
As regards deaf and dumb (including partially deaf) children,
there are six attending special schools; two are attending
public elementary schools, the parents being unwilling for
their children's admission to a special school, and one is not
attending any school, but is awaiting admission to a special
school.
The numbers falling within this category are fortunately
small, and I do not consider that at present any extension of
the Authority's arrangements is necessary.
(2) Physically Defective Children.
The Circular recommends that an orthopædic scheme
should be adopted.
I cannot find that at present there is any need for such a
scheme in Ilford
There are twenty-one physically defective children (including
cases of heart disease) who have been recommended for
a cripple school, ten of whom are attending public elementary
schools; one is at a residential cripple school; two are attending
private schools; one is at an institution other than a cripple
school; and seven are not attending school.
When the open-air school is in being, a number of these
children may be admitted with benefit, and until the school is
in existence and it is seen how many cripple children remain,
I think the question of the provision of a cripple school might
be held in abeyance.
(3) Educable Mentally Defective Children.
The circular recommends that steps should be taken
for:—
First—The complete and correct ascertainment of the
children.
Second—Supervisory arrangements for children for whom
no Special Schools exist.
These measures are already being carried out in Ilford,