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49
The Montessori system has been introduced for the Infants
with good results. The older boys and girls, too, have progressed
though perhaps to a less marked degree, and in fact never in the
existence of the school have the children been so high a grade,
more nearly approaching the retarded classes, as now.
The school has capacity for 130 children. There are at present
on the Register 27 boys and 28 girls, showing a percentage of
0-26 children attending the Mentally Defective School, and we have
in all in this Area 0-36 per cent, mentally defective and ineducable.
All these figures exclude Epileptics.
There are voluntary after-care workers who keep in touch with
these children after they leave school and when possible find them
suitable employment, sometimes a very difficult matter, as the
average employer is, very loth to take on a boy or girl whom he
knows has come straight from the Mentally Defective Centre.
For this reason, where practicable, such children are admitted
to the ordinary elementary schools, if only for a short period,
before their final discharge.
The Essex County Council has in this town a continuation class
for manual work for boys only—of course, our authority ceases
at the age of 16.
13. DEAF CENTRE.
This Centre was full to capacity on December 31st, there being
13 boys and 7 girls on the register. Of these, 16 are deaf, 3 hard
of hearing and 2 aphasic. It is necessary to teach only 2 of the
"Deaf" on the fingers.
The classes are mixed and there is a Head and an Assistant
Teacher. Two children were admitted and 3 discharged during
the year. Of the latter, one being engaged in the building trade
and 2 in carpentry.
14. BROOKFIELD.
A Residential School for Physically Defective children was
opened at Brookfield, Highams Park on June 3rd.
There is accommodation for 26 children. The staff consists
of Matron, Sister, Night Nurse, 2 Masseuses, Teacher, Visiting
V.A.D.'s—one each day except Saturdays and Sundays—Cook,
Housemaid and Porter,