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13. BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE & EPILEPTIC CHILDREN.

The Head Teacher, Miss M.L.Balis, has kindly sent the
following report:-
"Despite the difficulties of war conditions, the Walthamstow
Education Authorities continue to maintain the school for Blind
ana Partially Blind children.
During the period from January 1st 1940 and March 31st 1940,
the Blind and Myope Centre remained at the Reception area at Hutton
L.C.C. Residential School.
On April 1st, however, owing to the number of children who
had returned to Walthamstow, two classes were opened and are still
functioning under the ideal conditions existing at the Education
Committees Open Air School at Hale End Road. Here, there exists
a very adequate air raid shelter in which during raids the children
can continue to learn their lessons in safety and comfort.
Consequently the work of the Centre continues as normally as
shorter hours, air raids and changed conditions will allow.
On 31st December 1940, the school consisted of 18 children at
Hale End Open Air school, 6 at Hutton L.C.C. Residential school and
15 privately evacuated with their families.
During the year ended 31st December 1940, three boys and
three girls left the school and are all in employment suited to
their capacities, and designed to preserve their sight.
In conclusion may I thank the Education Committee and its
administrative staff for the continued help and interest shown to
the school, despite their extra work in the town owing to wartime
conditions, and also the medical department, the doctors and nurses
of which, despite the extra labour evacuated conditions have thrown
upon them, have, with undiminished care and attention carried out
the periodic inspection of the Children's eyes and general health
both in Walthamstow and at the reception area".
(ii) Deaf School. This school has been evacuated since the
outbreak of war.
(iii) Open Air School. Miss Thompson, the Head Teacher, reports
as follows
"In January 1940, there were still some 68 children of the
Hale End Open Air school at the camp at eymouth. The severe winter
had brought no worse troubles than chilblains, which however were
very trying in many cases. Otherwise the health of the children
was wonderful. So well did the children appear, that on a visit
by a L.C.C. school medical officer it was decided to examine with
a view to discharge and some 20 were considered fit to be transferred
to private billets. Of these, 9 only went into Weymouth the rest
returning to their parents. This made Walthamstow school one of
the smallest in the camp. The parents visits were arranged by the
Authorities once a month and each time a few withdrawals were made.
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