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at the same rate. Some "hang fire" for months, others progress
very irregularly and long observation may be necessary.
The progress made from the time of admission and under
different teachers can be observed, and teachers have less
hesitation in presenting cases when they know the child is
only under observation.
Queen's Road Special School:—During 1926, 2 boys and
8 girls were admitted, and 7 boys and 5 girls were passed
out, giving a roll at the end of the year of 31 boys and 22
girls. All the children were examined by the medical and
dental officers during the year, and dental treatment was
offered to those requiring it.
Of the 12 cases passed out, 3 were returned to Public
Elementary Schools as being educationally backward only;
3 were exempted on obtaining special employment; 2 (girls)
were notified to the Board of Control; 2 (boys) were transferred
to Littleton Street Special School under the L.C.C.;
1 girl was reported on attaining 16 years for supervision in
her own home; and 1 for further discipline before coming to
school.
(b) Physically Defective Children:—The actual number
of such children in the Wimbledon area is difficult to estimate
but from our records it is below 1 per cent. This may be
because some of the most delicate are educated in private
schools.
Of the cases known the present and future interests of
many are best considered by permitting them to attend the
ordinary public elementary schools under observation. In
other words, a physical defect does not necessarily imply a
"special education," and such may indeed be inadvisable. As
stated in previous reports, these numbers do not justify the
establishment of a school for physically defective children
only, and even the number of "delicate" children (see Table
III.) is no argument for a special "open-air" school. From
considerable experience in special schools there can be no
doubt that such are necessary, but, on the other hand, once
established there is a tendency "to fill places" by children
who can quite well and should attend ordinary elementary
schools. Thus, of the 8 active, but non-infectious, tuberculous
cases mentioned above, both the Tuberculosis and School
Medical Officers are convinced there is no need for special
education for any of them. Yet, if there were an "open-air"
school, these cases would probably help to keep up the
numbers.
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