Annual report and list of subscribers for the year ending 31st March, 1925 / Western Counties Institution, Starcross (for mental defectives) near Exeter.

  • Western Counties Institution, Starcross.
Date:
1925
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Annual report and list of subscribers for the year ending 31st March, 1925 / Western Counties Institution, Starcross (for mental defectives) near Exeter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    their minds are kept amused and occupied, their rooms well ventilated and that a watch is kept for the first symptoms of disease. Without the utmost care and attention on the part of the nurses and attend¬ ants, these excellent results could not be attained, and I am glad to bear witness to the close observation given by them to the health of their young charges and their readiness to report any abnormal conditions. The syllabus of training in the schools has been slightly altered, to incorporate suggestions made by the Chief Inspector of the Board of Education. Fortnightly conferences of teachers are held when the work of the school is reviewed, the best methods of training discussed and future work planned. Mr. Williams and Miss Taylor, our Schoolmaster and Mistress, who have been with us for some years, have recently introduced several new ideas for training, and by their visits to other educational establishments have been able to judge for themselves the success attained from methods other than their own. Speaking generally of the schools, both boys and girls have improved considerably in elementary knowledge, reading, writing and easy arithmetic, a large number of the pupils being able to write letters unaided and read books for their own amusement. In this connection the use of the Cinema as an aid to reading cannot be overlooked and there is no doubt much good can be accomplished by the exhibition of well-chosen films as a pleasant and quick method of education. The outdoor school inaugurated last summer was a happy innovation and helped materially in building up the children’s stamina against the winter months. That the usefulness of the Institution and the care and attention bestowed on the pupils is appreciated by the parents, friends and the pupils themselves, is evidenced by the numerous grateful letters received, of which the following are examples :—- “ I feel I must write and thank you for the very nice time “ our little girl has had this Xmas with the rest of the “ Institution. It makes parents feel grateful that our