View report page

42
"The manual work consists of hand and machine knitting and
cardboard modelling for the girls; printing, bookbinding and
brush work for the boys; whilst all the children do raffia work,
clay modelling and gardening. In addition, the 'Braille' children
learn chair-caning and rushing, staining, polishing and caneweaving.
"Since many of the children are suffering from high and progressive
Myopia, the physical training is suitably adapted by using smooth,
gentle exercises from the Board of Education Syllabus, and suitable
dances.
"Of those removed from the Register during the year, one boy
left the district, one went for further training and the other two
have had only casual employment. The girls are all in suitable
work.
"From the above it will be obvious that to make a success of such
a school, it is not sufficient to have teachers who possess special
certificates; they must also possess that more important qualification
—a sympathetic and intelligent interest in each individual child.
I can say, without hesitation, that Miss Balls and her staff are
ideal teachers, guides and friends to the children under their care.
(ii) Deaf Centre.— The following report on the work of the Centre
during 1930 has been contributed by Mrs. Smith, the Head
Teacher:—
"This Centre has a capacity for 20 children and is situated
adjacent to the William Morris Schools. On the roll on 31st
December, 1930, were 21 children—Congenitally Deaf, Boys 7 and
Girls 5; Semi-Deaf, Boys 2 and Girls 3; Aphasic, Boys 3 and
Girls 1.
"One boy comes from the Leyton area, and one from the Chingford
area.
"During the year one girl has left school and is employed in a
toy factory.
"The scholars are taught on the oral method, i.e., speech and
language by means of lip reading. The older children also learn the
ordinary elementary school subjects. In addition a good variety
of handwork is done by the children, who show great talent for
this subject. The girls also learn needlework, machining and
knitting, laundry and cooking; the boys boot-repairing and
carpentry.