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16.—CO-OPERATION OF VOLUNTARY BODIES.
The Public Assistance Committee has very kindly given assistance in one or two cases
during the year, and the Invalid Children's Aid Association has, we know, dealt with some
of our school children. The Middlesex Edward VII. Memorial Fund from time to time provides
a seaside holiday or convalescence for a few necessitous children.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has continued to render
valuable assistance in cases of parental neglect, several cases "having been referred to the Society
during the year.
The following Societies render all possible assistance where required:—Hounslow,
Heston and Whitton Philanthropic Society; The Isleworth, Spring Grove and St. Margaret's
Philanthropic Society; The Shaftesbury Society and Ragged School Union; The United
Services Fund, and the British Legion.
17.–BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC CHILDREN.
Every effort is made to keep the list of these cases up-to-date. The Health Visitors
are able to report some cases before they reach school age, others are discovered at the Infant
Welfare Centres, and we never lose sight of them afterwards. Head Teachers inform us
of cases, and we rely on the School Attendance Officers to bring to our notice those defective
children who do not attend school.
There are no Special Schools in the district.
All mentally abnormal children, other than those who have been notified to the Local
Mental Deficiency Authority, are re-examined frequently and in any case not less than once
in twelve months.
At the end of 1932 there were 22 children being maintained by the Education Committee
at institutions outside the district.
Two were in a school for Mentally Retarded Blind Children, three were in Schools
for the Blind, and one was in a School for the Partially Blind.
In addition to these 6 children who are in Special Schools for the Blind, we have 18
children attending elementary schools in the area who suffer from a high degree of myopia.
Fifteen of these have been supplied with special desks.
Each of the 18 children has special consideration at school, and the Head Teachers
and Class Teachers are supplied with instructions as to the best position for the child in the
class-room ; the type of work that can be allowed, etc. The teachers are asked to pass the
leaflet of instructions on as the child is promoted.
Six of the children have vision so defective that in accordance with the Board of
Education's definition in Table III., they must be classified as partially blind. These six
children should be in a special school or class for such cases.
Seven children were in a school for the Deaf.
Two were in schools for the Mentally Defective.
Three were in schools for Epileptics.
One was in a Residential School for Cripples.
One was in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
One was at a Residential Open-Air School.
One was at the Children's Heart Home, Lancing.
18.—NURSERY SCHOOLS.
There are no nursery schools in the area.
19.–SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
20.—CONTINUATION SCHOOLS.
These schools come under the Middlesex County Council-
21–EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS.
The conditions of the employment of children and young persons in this area are
regulated by Bye-Laws. Certain employments are prohibited, and in others the hours of
employment are regulated. Children between the ages of 13 and 14 employed in the sale or
delivery of milk or newspapers, or in domestic work away from home, must hold a certificate
from the School Medical Officer to the effect that such employment will not be prejudicial to
their health or physical development, and will not render them unfit to obtain proper benefit
from their education.
Forty-five such children were examined and the necessary certificate of fitness for work
was granted in each case.
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