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75
Hospital Classes
I am indebted to Mr. J. Power, M.A., Borough Education Officer, for the following
report: -
"The tuition of children in the St. Ann's and Prince of Wales's Hospitals has
continued progressively over the past year.
Some children attend the classroom provided in one of the wards, while others
receive lessons in bed. Outside wards are visited and here children are taught in
cubicles.
The age range being from 4'A years to 15 years, Nursery teaching is included with
Primary, Secondary and Grammar. Both long and short term patients have lessons.
Practically all the teaching is individual, but often those children of the same age,
who are well enough to attend the classroom, can be grouped for nature, history and
geography lessons. Here the radio, record player, and television can be used, when
convenient to hospital routine.
The children are keen to have lessons, not only because children like, to some
extent, to be organised, but because then they do not feel set apart through being in
hospital.
Individual work helps the child tremendously. He is able to work at his own
pace and the nervous child in particular gains confidence. Pupils' interests and
hobbies are encouraged. For long term patients close liaison is maintained with the
school. Often long term children have been transferred from other hospitals (where
there is no teaching) in order to benefit from lessons.
After being discharged children often return to visit the hospital classes,
which shows that the experience of lessons in hospital has not been forgotten. Parents
also gratefully acknowledge the benefit gained by their children.
The help given by the Tottenham Library service during the year has been greatly
appreciated, and also the co-operation of the hospital staff".
Statistical Information
Certain statistics relating to the work of the school health service not included
in the body of the report are contained in the appendix.