[Report 1941] / School Medical Officer of Health, Leeds City.

  • Leeds City Council
Date:
1941
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1941] / School Medical Officer of Health, Leeds City. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/26 (page 17)
    The Subnormal Child, The care of the subnormal child must always remain one of the most important functions of the School Medical Service and, as far as possible, every Medical Officer takes one special school for further investigation of the scholars. It is still to bo regretted that so many parents dislike any form of special school, putting stupid prejudice before their child’s well-being. Hut the position is improving and if parents can be persuaded to go and see the school for themselves their co-operation generally becomes whole-hearted. What the future will be for special schools remains to be seen, but there is no doubt of the improvement, both physical and mental amongst those who are in the residential places set up by evacuation, showing one indication for development. The retarded children in the two schools at Ilkley prove the case alone, and it has been extremely interesting as well as instructive to watch theii progress. Delinquency of any type lias disappeared and a real communal interest exists. There is a real desire not to let the school down and the way in which these youngsters manage themselves and their affairs is very hopeful. It is too early to speak with authority, but we seem to lie getting a better degree of moral stability as shewn by the fact that more leavers are now being decertified than happens in the day schools. But the day schools are also proving their worth and tin' policy of permitting suitable children to leave on licence for approved work in order to try out their ]lowers has been very successful, when exercised with due care. So many of these have had their lives rendered almost miserable by their companions before certification that one realises the truth of the proverb that “ It is Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” A very interesting development at the Physical Defective School has been the Old Scholars Club which is now firmly estab¬ lished and already has taken an active part in attending to the interests of their less able colleagues. Whilst most of the scholars are now back in their own homes, there is still a number left in Wetherby—all of whom have benefited greatly. I he James Graham Open Air School still houses the Deaf and Partially Sighted children and, although pending other provision, it is realised the}- should remain there, one must regret that it has not been restored to its normal function. The need for a day open-air school for comparatively short periods has not become less and its absence will be the cause of industrial inefficiency in manv children. Its place cannot be taken by the Bewerley Park School,