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99
At the close of the year the headmistress - Miss 0. Beatson - retired
after a distinguished career of 34 years at the school and its head since
1943. She has been succeeded to the headship by Mr. T. Brown.
Day Special School for Physically Handicapped
This school, which has been established for many years at Vale Road,
Tottenham, now accommodates approximately 90 children between the ages of four
and sixteen. As in the case of the School for the Deaf the children are
drawn from a wide area in the County and transport to and from the School
provided by the Local Education Aithority.
During 1954 a new prefabricated extension was made to the school buildings
providing a suite of classrooms and amenities for the younger age group
of children. Also with the setting up of special facilities for the treatment
of children suffering from cerebral palsy (spastics), authority was given
during the year for additional accommodation to be provided for therapy
facilities and overall classroom expansion for up to 20 children suffering
from this birth handicap. Building extensions, also to include improved
indoor sanitation for the whole school, are expected to commence during the
coming year.
After long and devoted service to the school the retirement of Miss C.
Wakefield was received with deep regret by all associated with her in the work
of the school. She was succeeded to the headship by Mr. Ives, a former
teacher in the school and well conversant with its problems and aspirations.
Swimming Exercises
A special and popular feature of the school during the year was the
weekly visit to the Municipal Swimming Baths. With the aid of volunteer
helpers to dress and undress those unable to do so for themselves and with
others to help in the water, these handicapped children are able to enjoy an
exercise which comes to them more easily than in most other forms of disability.
The buoyancy of the body in the water neutralises the effect of
gravity and enables weak muscles to function more freely.
The physical benefit derived is accompanied by a development of the
child's confidence and sense of well-being. One is struck by the complete
absence of fear that most of these children have in the water. If a little
timid at first they are quickly re-assured when they see some of their fellows,
whose movements on land are slow and awkward, swimming with confidence if not
highly skilled. Though it is not always possible to teach a handicapped
child to swim by the methods used for the normal child, most of them learn to
float and quite a number are able to swim in a short time the width of the
bath and a few the whole length.