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Vision testing
Follow-up of any problems arising f rom the attendance or failure of children
to attend at eye clinics at four centres in the Borough is done by the Health
Department social workers. The closure of the special school children's clinic
at Moorfield's Eye Hospital has resulted in an increasing number of applications
for appointments. Conversely, there appears to be some increase in the number
of children being prescribed glasses privately by ophthalmic opticians.
Special Schools in the Borough
Apart from the unit for partially hearing children in one of the primary
schools, there are two special day schools - one for the 'delicate' child and
the other for the physically handicapped.
Stormont House School provides education for children with a wide variety
of minor disabilities, ranging from the child who has recently had a lengthy
period in hospital to the one who is more timid or anxious than normal. The
length of stay is usually three to four terms at the end of which th£ pupil has
usually benefited sufficiently to be able to return to ordinary school. The
classes are smaller and consequently more attention can be given by the staff
to the individual child's needs. The school medical officer attends the
school once a week and is thus able to supervise their health and general
progress closely.
The other special school is Geffrye School - a primary day school for
physically handicapped children. It takes children from a wide catchment area
and transport to and from the school is provided for virtually all the pupils.
The majority of these children continue to need special schooling for the rest
of their school lives and some are severely handicapped. The classes are small
and a full-time school nurse is in attendance. Physiotherapy and speech
therapy are provided on the premises and the school medical officer visits
every fortnight. In addition the Education Authority's medical and surgical
consultants visit the school approximately once a term.
Towards the end of 1966, it is planned to open an all-age day school for
partially sighted pupils in Stoke Newington.
At present the Borough does not have a day school for educationally subnormal
pupils. The school that is used lies just outside the borough boundary
in Tower Hamlets. There are, however, special remedial classes in two of the
primary schools - for pupils who are educationally retarded but who are expected
to be capable of making up lost ground and eventually return full-time to
ordinary school.
Tutorial classes
Two Tutorial Classes are provided for children whose progress at school
has been hindered by behaviour disorders, school phobia and other emotional
problems, but whose abilities are at least within the average range.
Unfortunately, there is a waiting list for these classes and it is hoped
to re-open a third class when a suitable teacher becomes available.
Social Workers
The social workers are called upon from time to time, to make home visits
in cases of special difficulty concerning children who are being assessed for
special schooling at County Hall or are in attendance at Boarding Schools.
One of the social workers has had special experience in working with the
parents of autistic children and she attends the Unit which was opened at the
Horizon School, Wenlock Road, at the end of the year, working under the instructions
of the psychiatrist, Dr. Frommer and making frequent home visits.
The Horizon School was formed by the transfer of children and staff from Offord
Street Educationally Subnormal School, Islington, and for the sake of continuity,
it continues to be administered by Division III (Islington) although the school
buildings lie within the Borough of Hackney.