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53
"The average number on roll during the year was 40.4 with an
average attendance of 36.03.
"I have to put on record my deep appreciation of the efforts of
the teaching, welfare and transport staff on behalf of the children
in the school."
(d) School for the Physically Handicapped.—Mr. G. M.
Williams, Headmaster of the Wingfield House School for the
Physically Handicapped, reports as follows:—
"The school, with an accommodation for 95 children, has now
89 children on roll with four children awaiting admission. The
catchment area of the school has increased and now comprises
Walthamstow, Leyton, Chingford, Wanstead, Woodford, Chigwell,
Loughton, Debden, Waltham Abbey and Harlow. Two children
have also been admitted from Middlesex.
"A new feature is the staying on at school of several severely
handicapped senior children over the statutory leaving age, because
of the difficulty or delay in obtaining either training or employment.
"The number of children with more than one handicap has
increased, several children having physical handicaps allied to educational
subnormality; four children have three or more defects.
There are twelve non-ambulant children on roll.
"During the summer months there was a marked subsidence
of part of the main building necessitating underpinning—this was
done in the Autumn term. The kitchen and dining room were
decorated internally during the summer holiday as well as certain
rooms in the main building.
"The school was kept open during the summer holiday period
on a voluntary basis, 45 children attending and maintaining a 92%
attendance. Visits were made to Thorpe Bay, Whipsnade Zoo,
Bishop's Stortford and to the forest, and throughout the whole
period only one day had to be spent inside.
"Visitors during the year included Dr. Fleming of the Ministry
of Education, the School Medical Officers of the Forest Division, a
teacher from Heidelberg, post-graduate medical students, student
health visitors, district nurse students and Training College students.
"The teaching staff was depleted by the resignation of Mr.
Thompson, who after many years of valuable service accepted
appointment as Head Teacher of a Residential Physically Handicapped
school. His place has been taken by Mr. Ellis, B.A.
"Miss Hemmings, L.C.S.T., a Speech Therapist who has always
taken an active and co-operative interest in the school and gave
much helpful advice, resigned on marriage in September and was
missed by staff and children alike.