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When the Form B.D.8 is received by the School Health Service two copies are made.
One of the copies is retained in the School Health Service and inserted in the child's
dossier; the original and the other copy is passed to the Chief Welfare Officer. This
document is sent to the Chief Welfare Officer irrespective of whether or not the child
is considered to be a handicapped pupil and irrespective of whether or not it is
considered likely that the child would qualify for inclusion in the Blind Register after
leaving school.
If the ophthalmologist's opinion indicates that the child is likely to be
ascertained as blind or partially sighted the normal procedure under Section 34 of the
Education Act, 1944, is put into operation. In addition to the revised Form B.D.8 the
Local Education Authority have before them advice from the School Medical Officer and
information from teachers and others who have known the child, and will consider his age,
attainments and intelligence and qualities of character which may influence his suitability
for one school or another.
The Authority has no schools of its own for the education of blind and partially
sighted pupils owing to insufficient numbers, but where possible arrangements are made for
these children to be admitted to day or residential schools conducted under other auspices.
Nursery education up to the age of six or seven years is provided mainly by the Sunshine
Home Schools which are managed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. At the age
of six or seven children are transferred to schools for the blind. The instruction for
boys includes woodwork, basket work and modelling; for girls, housecraft, knitting, light
basketry and simple sewing. Reading and writing are taught through the medium of Braille,
arithmetic by a system of arranging types in a board, and geography by means of embossed
maps. Typewriting is also taught at a later age. Certain pupils can continue their
training beyond the age of sixteen and, in addition to typewriting, take up shorthand or
telephony, pianoforte tuning, basket weaving or machine knitting.
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In the case of partially sighted children the curriculum resembles that in schools for
children with normal sight. Written work is done by using chalk on blackboards or with
thick crayon on large sheets of paper. Reading books with large type are used by the junior
children and a special reading lens on a stand is supplied for every pupil of secondary
school age.
The following figures relate to work carried out in connection with blind and partially
sighted children during the year:-
BLIND
Number ascertained during the year 3
Number in Residential Special Schools during the year 2
Out of School 2
In Day Special School for Partially Sighted Pupils
(On waiting list for Condover Hall)
1
PARTIALLY SIGHTEI
Number known to the Authority during the year 10
Number ascertained during the year 1
Position at the end of the year:
In Day Special Schools 9
In Residential Special School 1
Out of School Nil
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