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53
Mentally Defective School.—Your Authority provide a Special
School with accommodation for 130 children of both sexes. An
After-Care Committee does excellent work in watching the interests
of children after leaving school. At the end of the year there were
30 girls and 41 boys on the roll. Unfortunately, of these, 7 girls
and 11 boys had intelligence quotients of between 40 and 50.
Close watch is being kept on these low grade children and as soon
as marked misbehaviour and failure to progress is noticed, they
are excluded from the school which, ideally, should only cater for
children with intelligence quotients between 75 and 50.
Miss Purcell, the Head Mistress, has kindly sent the following
report:—
"There have been no changes in the curriculum during the past
year. At one period, the numbers rose to over 80 and an assistant
teacher on supply was allowed, making the mental grading and
teaching of scholars easier. Unfortunately, our numbers fell so
low again that the extra teacher has been withdrawn.

"In June, a party of 40 children in charge of the Head Teacher
and an Assistant, spent a delightful fortnight at Boscombe. Excellent
food and accommodation was provided. In order that each
child should see Bournemouth's beautiful fountains illuminated
with hundreds of coloured lights at night-time, parties were taken
by private cars each week by private arrangement. Even the two
crippled children saw the illuminations twice. The weather was
ideal, warm and sunny the whole time. Bathing and paddling
were indulged in every day, a hut being hired for the purpose.
"Poole, with its beautiful potteries, its interesting quays and
shipping, and the sandbanks along to Branscombe Chine were the
two extra treats enjoyed by all. Two attendants were permitted
by the Committee and greatly assisted in the supervision of personal
cleanliness and correct bedroom behaviour. The two journeys were
made by road and greatly added to the joys of the holiday.
"Of the scholars who left during the year, 5 boys are in employment
and doing well considering the pressure of the times. Two