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In addition to a regular weekly session at the school by a school medical
officer and educational psychologist, two physiotherapy sessions are held
each week and 4 sessions are devoted to speech therapy.
Before any pupil leaves the school at the age of l6 a full medical and
psychological investigation is carried out and, in conjunction with the
headmaster, a decision is made regarding the type of employment that might
be suitable for the pupil. In some cases because the pupil might not be
accepted into employment or may drift from one job to another, supervision
and community care by mental health social workers is recommended. To
assist in finding suitable employment the Principal Youth Employment Officer
devotes several sessions at the school to interviewing school leavers and
their parents.
It is regrettable that educationally sub-normal pupils cannot be admitted
to Carew Manor School before the age of 7 years. An increasing number of
pupils at ordinary schools are now ascertained as educationally sub-normal
by the age of 6 years and these children have to be found places in schools
in neighbouring authorities.
(b) North Downs Unit
This Unit caters for 3 groups of maladjusted children. The children
remain on the register of their ordinary school and attend the Unit for
varying periods from 1 to 4½ days each week.
In September 1968, the Unit was transferred to new premises at Cotswold Road,
Sutton, which gave them an extra classroom and facilities for extra remedial
work, and a playing field.
The children recommended for admission to the Unit are carefully selected in
conjunction with the Child Psychiatrist and the Head Teacher of the Unit.
Many maladjusted pupils require continued contact with their homes and
parents which can only be achieved by provision of day school places. The
Head Teacher of the Unit continues to have close contact v/ith the parents of
the pupils attending the Unit.
The number of new admissions to the Unit were 13 (1969) and 13 (1968).
(c) Autistic Unit at Queen Mary's Hospital School
In September 1968, a second class for autistic children was established at
Queen Mary's Hospital School, the first class having been established in
September 1967. Both classes cater for a maximum of 5 children.
Most of the children admitted have been long-stay residents in Queen Mary's
Hospital, but children living in the community also attend. The children
are mostly non-communicating and are considered to be either autistic,
psychotic or severely emotionally disturbed. They are carefully selected
for the classes by a Consultant Psychiatrist who makes the recommendation
for their admission.
Each class is staffed by a full-time teacher, who has experience of this
type of child, and a nurse supplied by Queen Mary's Hospital. A speech
therapist, educational psychologist and teacher of the deaf attend the
classes regularly.
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