View report page

58
The teaching establishment comprises 12, and in broad terms the curriculum followed is similar to
a conventional secondary school where, according to ability, boys may take the C.S.E. (Southern Board) examinations
in English, Literature, Mathematics, Art, Geography, History, General Science, Music, etc. Since all
classes are small, a good deal of individual or remedial work is also possible. There is also a strong musical
tradition in the school.
The School is geared to a ten class timetable structure—four classes following a four-year course to
C.S.E., five classes a more practical course, culminating in a year's day release course at Basingstoke Technical
College in constructional skills. There is a possibility that the C.S.E. classes may also follow a two-year
Engineering Course for external examinations at the Technical College as well. A practical work programme
will also be introduced on the School Estate—building, farming and rural studies.
The non-teaching staff includes eight full-time Residential Child Care Officers who are responsible
for the welfare of the boys during out-of-school hours. (The teaching staff additionally perform extraneous
duties of not more than 15 hours per week. These duties are connected primarily with semi-educational
activities.) Accommodation for the teaching staff can be either in fiats or semi-detached houses on the estate,
or in bed-sitting rooms for single staff. The Residential Child Care Officers are provided with bed-sitting
rooms plus; a communal staff room and utility room for the preparation of light snacks when off duty.
Additionally there is a Domestic Bursar responsible for catering and general supervision on the
domestic front, an Assistant Domestic Bursar with principal responsibility for boys' clothing, two Nurses and
full supporting domestic staff. There is also a School Engineer who, with a staff of Painter, Carpenter and
Handyman, is responsible for all routine maintenance of the buildings. The school estate, grounds and playing
fields are maintained by a staff of seven Gardeners.
Boys' accommodation is divided into two principal parts: the younger boys are housed on the junior
floor under the care of three Residential Child Care Officers. Boys normally stay here until approaching 14,
and then they move to the senior block where there are 78 boys in the care of five Child Care Officers. There
are quiet games and T.V. rooms for each section. Meals are served at a single sitting in the dining room,
and are supervised by members of the teaching or supervisory staff.
Accommodation varies from dormitories holding ten to small dual rooms in the Leavers' Block,
which boys enter in their final two terms here, and where emphasis is placed on self-reliance in preparation
for leaving. There is strong liaison with the Careers Officer from the London Borough of Brent over finding
employment.
After-school activities are well organised and include such things as The Duke of Edinburgh Award
Scheme, the Young Farmers' Club, Scouts, an Army Cadet Force Unit, camping and visits to places of interest
in the locality. Normally such activities are planned for a nightly two-hour session between tea and supper
during the school week, and for weekends in longer periods.
Boys are allowed home for one weekend in each half-term. These are generally arranged to coincide
with time off for their Residential Child Care Officers.
Parents are always welcome to visit the school, particularly at weekends, providing sufficient
notice is given. The Headmaster, his Deputy or Senior Master can normally be seen by appointment at
weekends.
NEASDEN AUDIOLOGY UNIT
Communication by speech is one of the most complex and important aspects of man's development.
Without hearing this becomes virtually impossible, very seriously handicapping the sufferer. It is for this reason
that the early detection of a hearing loss is so important.
The combination of auditory training and the provision of amplification (hearing aid) enables even
the severely deaf the opportunity to establish communication by speech.
The services of the Neasden Audiology Unit exist to identify hearing loss from infancy until the
young person leaves school, and provides for diagnosis,handicaps.
follow-up and supervision of all children with hearing
The Clinic was established nine years ago under the Middlesex County Council and provides services
for Brent, Harrow and part of Barnet. Each year an increasing number of children have been seen at the
Clinic.
During 1972, 460 children were seen, 86 more than last year, and of those seen 166 were new cases
and 97 were of pre-school age.
I am indebted to Dr. Fisch, the Consultant Otologist at Neasden Audiology Unit for the following
account of the year's work.
"The Neasden Audiology Clinic which has now been in existence almost ten years had a busy year.
"Regular clinical sessions were held by Dr. L. Fisch, Consultant, and by the Principal Medical
Officer and Senior Medical Officer.
"As in previous years, strenuous efforts had to be made to keep the waiting list down and to avoid
long waiting for an appointment.
"Some clinical sessions, during which normally six to seven children can be seen, had to be organised
as screening sessions especially for children who failed the school audiometry and subsequent full threshold
audiometric test.
"During these sessions all children have a full audiometric test, otological examination and a test of
hearing for speech. About 15 children are seen at such a screening clinic and a surprisingly large proportion of