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The first school to be started was that for deaf children which
was opened in April, 1900 at Queen's Road School with a class of
5. It was transferred to Gainsford Road in April, 1902, and from
there to Hale End Road at Easter, 1952.' The provision of a group
Hearing Aid has been approved, and will shortly be installed.
The consultant to the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic visits the school
to see all the children once per term.
The next school to be opened was that for the Educationally
Sub-normal, which was commenced in April, 1903 at the Old Marsh
Street School. In August, 1907 it was transferred to the Marsh
Street Centre, in October, 1908 to Shernhall Street, and in October
1940 to Hale End.
The third special school to be set up was that for the blind
and partially sighted which was opened in February, 1918. The
school is visited once a term by the appropriate consultant, who
examines and advises in regard to all the children.
The fourth and last special school was that for the physically
defective which opened at the Joseph Barrett School in February,
1924. Since this school is so closely connected with the orthopaedic
scheme (which is threatened with absorption into the Hospital
Service) a special note has been compiled and is set out below.
WALTHAMSTOW ORTHOPAEDIC SCHEME
In 1923, Mr. Whitchurch Howell, F.R.C.S., Orthopaedic Surgeon
to the then Queen's Hospital, Hackney Road, attended at
Lloyd Park for one session each month in order to examine any
child affected with crippling. Surgical treatment was given at the
Queen's Hospital, and the work was entirely voluntary.
In February, 1924, a "Physically Defective Centre" was
opened at the Joseph Barrett School by utilising a portion of the
building used by the Infants' School. Two good classrooms were
available, a combined rest and exercise room, and a dining room
and kitchen. The staff consisted of a head teacher, assistant
teacher, two part-time physiotherapists, and assistant physiotherapist,
nurse, cook and ambulance driver. On the 31st December,
1924, there were 55 names on the register.
Mr. Whitchurch Howell was in surgical charge of the children,
and daily physiotherapy was given. The annual report for that
year remarks on the great strides made by the children both mentally
and physically.
In June, 1924, a residential hospital school for physically defective
children was opened at Brookfield, Highams Park. There
was accommodation for 36 children, and the staff consisted of a
matron, night nurse, two part-time physiotherapists, a teacher,
and visiting V.A.D's. The school was recognized by the then
Board of Education.