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26
Before the end of the school year, all the children were
re tested for reading attainment and intelligence level. In
reading, only four children amongst the whole group show no
improvement, of these four, one has a very severe speech defect,
two are obviously in need of full scale special education, and
one is a very anxious unhappy boy. The amount of improvement in
reading varied from an advance of a few months to one of two and
a half years.
Although progress in reading was maintained in all four
classes, the I.Q's registered are deserving of particular comment.
For two classes (Blackhorse and Mission Grove) the year has been
made difficult by changes in the school environment. At Easter
the Blackhorse Class, with its teacher moved to Higham Hill,
while the Mission Grove Class was transplanted to Edinburgh
Junior, changes necessitated by the closure of Blackhorse and
neighbouring schools. It says much for the teachers of these two
classes and the receiving Head Teachers that no major problems
arose. However the I Q s shown indicate that the changes were
not without effect. In the Woodside Class (no change) four child
ren obviously needing to transfer to E.S.N. school showed a
lowering of I.Q., the same picture being true for the Winns Class
(no change). Here, three children showed a sufficient fall in I.Q.
to indicate a Special School need. In the group which moved from
Blackhorse to Higham Hill, half the children showed a regressed
I.Q. (two to E.S N. level) while the group moving to Edinburgh
showed a, fall in I Q. for all but four children. Some of these
decreases were insignificant, but others were seriously depressed
by as much as 19 points. These figures suggest two points
(1) The possible adverse effect of a change of environment on
children of limited mental endowment.
(2) The increased adverse effect when such a change is made
suddenly.
Eleven children will be transferring because of age from
Woodside and Higham Hill to appropriate Secondary Schools. Seven
children from all classes will be transferred, if possible, to
Special School.
The need for these classes continues. In September 1963
there will be accommodation for only 64 children while 70 are in
need of such help.
* Including 5 children given temporary places.
2 foreign language children.
1 experimental placement from Deaf Centre.
1 Secondary boy 1 E.S.M waiting placement