View report page

Milk.
On the 1st October, 1936 (the date of the Board's Return-Form 208.M.), 4,835 children
were having milk daily at school. One hundred and thirty four of these were having milk free,
and 4,701 were paying part or full cost.
12.—CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Every effort is made to secure the co-operation of parents in the work of the doctors,
dentists and nurses. Parents are invited to attend all routine medical inspections and during 1936
a parent or other relative attended in 3,018 instances, representing 80.3 per cent.
Parents are urged also to attend the Treatment Clinics and it is gratifying to find that an
increasing number of parents do attend and show their desire to obtain, and assist in the treatment
of their children.
The assistance given by teachers is of the greatest value to the School Medical Service.
They make all arrangements for routine medical inspections, and help us considerably in referring
cases to the Clinics, by ensuring regular attendance there, and in their reports on backward and
defective children. It is realised that this assistance involves considerable trouble and is
frequently given when lime is short.
The Attendance Officers are able to render considerable assistance to the School Medical
Service, and frequently refer children who are brought to their notice on account of alleged
iliness. Prompt notification by an Attendance Officer of a suspicious sore throat, or rash, has
frequently directed early attention to a case of Infectious Disease. They also undertake the
verification of returns of income made by parents when applying for various forms of assistance.
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.
13.—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 TeacheTS 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 1936 there were 29 children being maintained bv the Education Committee
at institutions outside the district.
Four children were in Schools for the Blind, and two were in a School for the Partially
Sighted.
In addition to these 6 children who are in Special Schools, we have 18 children
attending elementary schools in the area who suffer from a high degree of myopia. Nine
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. One of the children has vision so defective that in accordance with the Board
of Education's definition in Table III., he must be classified as partially sighted. This
child should be in a special school or class for such cases.
25