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Re-examination at the end of the three months almost invariably
showed a definite improvement in their condition.
The rest of the children who were regarded as delicate were
suffering from rheumatism and catarrhal conditions, etc.
(g) Special School.
The Education Committee has its own Special School, with
accommodation for fifty children. This is sufficient to meet
the requirements of the Borough.
At the end of 1932 there were thirty-four children (fifteen
boys and nineteen girls) in attendance. In addition, two boys
were attending the Littleton Street Special School and one boy
was at Besford Court.
The total number of Wimbledon children attending such
Special Schools at the end of the year amounted to thirty-seven.
Four boys and six girls were admitted during 1932.
One boy and four girls left the school as their parents had
removed into other areas. Two boys and five girls attained the
age of sixteen years and their names were removed from the
register.
One boy was notified (as no longer educable) to the Local
Authority under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, as amended
by the Act of 1927, and his name was removed from the register.
Every child attending the school is examined at least once
a year in addition to the routine medical inspections. Children
attending this school receive a bath once a week and a special
attendant is employed by the Education Committee for this
purpose. A cooked mid-day meal of excellent quality is also
served. On an average twenty children stayed for this meal, for
which a charge of 3d. is made. In some cases the charge is
reduced to 2½d. and in six cases it was found necessary occasionally
to forego the amount owing to the financial circumstances of the
parents. Three children also received milk in school on medical
grounds. In two cases this milk was given free. The School
Medical Officer visited the school on an average once a week
for the purpose of examining the children. In addition to the
routine class teaching a considerable amount of special handicraft
instruction was given. Carpentry, gardening, cookery, and
laundry-work were taught.
A list is kept of all retarded school children in the district.
These children are examined on an average every six months
in order to ascertain their suitability for transference to the
Special School. In addition every school is visited periodically
by one of the School Medical Staff with the view to ascertaining
from the Head Teachers the number of backward children in
attendance.
Children who have left the Special School on attaining the
age of 16 and who are in need of supervision and care are notified
to the Local Authority under the Act of 1913, as amended.
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