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In addition to the number of children seen for psychometric assessment, 25 sessions
of remedial teaching were undertaken during the year and regular counselling sessions introduced
in some high schools. In 16 counselling sessions 34 children were seen for one or more interviews.
The service has also been responsible for the supervision of students on courses for
school counselling and the teaching of maladjusted and handicapped children. We also maintain
links with clinical psychologists in the area and have given lectures in Educational Psychology
to probationary psychologists for the B.P.S. Diploma in clinical psychology.
A table giving full statistical details is in the Appendix to this report.
Observation/Diagnostic Classes
During 1968 two Observation/Diagnostic Classes were established attached to two
primary schools. Each class caters for ten children aged between 5 - 7 years and are staffed by a
trained teacher and a school helper. The children admitted to the classes are fully assessed
prior to their admission and it is considered that pupils admitted would be unable to progress
in a large infants class. Each term a conference is held between the teacher of each class, an
educational psychologist, the Principal Medical Officer and Chief Education Officer, to discuss
each child's progress and the future placement of each pupil.
Up to 31st December, 1970, 45 pupils have been admitted to the two Observation/
Diagnostic Classes. Of these:-
19 transferred to E.S.N. School
1 transferred to Training Centre
2 transferred to Independent School for Emotionally Disturbed Children
1 transferred to North Downs Maladjusted Unit
1 transferred to Partially Hearing Unit
1 transferred to Physically Handicapped School
1 transferred to Residential Open Air School for Delicate Children
18 transferred to Ordinary School
The classes have been most valuable since their establishment and have formed an
essential part in observing children with handicapping conditions closely in order to ensure that
they are recommended for the type of education best suited to their needs.
Screening Procedure for inborn errors of metabolism
Research has shown that certain handicapping conditions (i.e. mental retardation,
disturbed behaviour and epilepsy) can be caused in a small percentage of children by an in-born
error of metabolism. In conjunction with Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, screening for
these abnormalities was offered to the parents of all pupils attending Carew Manor E.S.N. School,
the Training Centre, Day Unit for Maladjusted Children and The Link School, Croydon.
Handicapped Pupils
It is the duty of the Council to make suitable provision for handicapped pupils
in the Borough. The Handicapped Pupils and Special Schools Regulations, 1959, specify ten
categories of handicapped pupils, namely:
Blind, partially sighted, deaf, partially hearing, educationally
sub-normal, epileptic, maladjusted, physically handicapped,
delicate and speech defect.
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