E/SE2/2/1

File regarding Sunnyside Special School, The Baulk, Biggleswade, including information as follows:

1971 - 1985

From: 1971 To: 1985

- Application for approval of a Special School, giving maximum numbers of classes and pupils and age range of pupils [1971]; - grouping of Sunnyside with Hitchmead Educationally Sub Normal (Moderate) (ESN(M)) School, Biggleswade for the purposes of government [1971]; - provision of wall bars, used by physically handicapped children as resting places [1971]; - headteacher’s desire for a review of training and experience necessary for teachers working with Educationally Sub Normal (Severe) (ESN(S)) children, with attached names and disabilities of children on the waiting list [1972]; - summary of additional duties of three non-teaching assistants [1972]; - draft advertisement for post of Assistant Teacher [1974]; - headteacher’s desire for formation of an informal club for mothers of pre-school mentally handicapped children [1974]; - advice sought by headteacher on legalities of senior ESN(S) pupils attending an Adult Training Workshop, with Local Education Authority (LEA) response [1974]; - list of Autumn Term school activities [1974]; - considerable correspondence indicative of the poor relationship between the headteacher and the superintendent of the adjoining Maythorn Hostel, from which about a third of school pupils came - principal areas of conflict include: withdrawal of Hostel pupils from school activities by the Warden; corporal punishment of pupils sanctioned by the headteacher but opposed by Social Services Department; automatic entry of hostel dwellers to the school; use of restraints on pupils by the school at mealtimes, when the child indulged in tantrums etc.; headteacher’s remarks regarding staff: children ratio at Maythorn; the state of dress of Maythorn residents and possible introduction of a Sunnyside School uniform, which Social Services would have to provide in the case of Maythorn residents; the differences of opinion frequently extend to the Chief Education Officer and Director of Social Services as the respective ultimate managers of the two protagonists [1974-1985]; - brief notes following visits to the school by LEA staff, advisers etc. [1975-1981]; - list of named pupils in Special care Provision and their problems [1975]; - headteacher’s concern at lack of staff and physical resources [1975-1976]; - problems about provision for school leavers, highlighted by the cases of two girls kept on the school roll after statutory leaving age as they had nowhere else to go [1975-1976]; - problems of provision for 16-19 year olds [1974-1976]; - procedures for pupils’ absence from school due to ill health [1976]; - details of staffing situation at school [1976]; - school newsletter [1977]; - explanation of hairdressing exercise for senior girls and LEA approval [1977]; - headteacher’s concern at delays in completing 30 place extension [1977]; - plans for an overnight, supervised “survival session” for senior pupils at the school in which they could exercise self-care skills, make choices etc. [1977]; - problems regarding two probationer teachers, including headteacher’s attitude towards them [1977-1978]; - headteacher’s concern with LEA restrictions on Nursery Assistants not supervising pupils in outside visits [1977]; - problems in discussing staff members at Governors’ Meetings in the presence of staff governors [1977]; - list of named staff with ages and comments on qualifications [1978]; - headteacher’s complaint that visiting speech therapist and physiotherapist were being withdrawn, due to reorganisation of Northern and Southern Area Health Authorities without prior notification from Area Health Authority [1978]; - participation of pupils in Bedfordshire Music Festival at Corn Exchange, Bedford [1979]; - agendas and minutes of Governors’ Meetings, including headteacher’s reports and other matters [1978-1985]; - attendance of some pupils at evening classes at Stratton Upper School, Biggleswade [1979]; - notes of meeting to discuss difficulties in providing for 16-19 year olds given staff resources [1979]; - memo regarding residential provision for children with multiple handicaps [1979]; - reduction in number of Nursery Nurse posts and National and Local Government Officers' Association (NALGO) involvement [1980]; - application to BBC Children in Need of Help Appeal to acquire a chalet/mobile home for use in independence training exercises [1981]; - problems regarding admission of school leavers to Adult Training Centres [1982]; - headteacher’s’ plans to avoid over-excitement in pupils at the approach of Christmas [1982]; - proposals to transfer pupils aged 16+ to St.John’s ESN(S) Special School, Kempston [1983]; - slowness in carrying out review procedure due to lack of secretarial resources [1983]; - headteacher’s dissatisfaction with dried meat being supplied for school meals, maintaining that chewing and tasting were important learning experiences for children [1983]; - pupil’s story about supposed actions of a member of staff which would have had severe repercussions if true [1984]; - headteacher’s desire for greater contact with Specialist Careers Officer in order to benefit senior pupils [1985]; - aggressive attitude of a parent whose child collapsed at school and was admitted to hospital [1985].

Access to material may be permitted under supervision

item

Chief Education Officer,
NALGO,
National and Local Government Officers' Association,
BBC

EDUCATION, special education, health administration, education buildings, schools, severe learning difficulties, education, Biggleswade Sunnyside Special School, BIGGLESWADE, business papers, special schools, population statistics, Hitchmead Special School, educationally sub normal (moderate), physical handicap, education, headteacher, training, teachers, educationally sub normal (severe), disability, employment, non teaching assistants, advertisements, Assistant Teacher, societies clubs, parent, mental handicap, education, legal opinion, adult education, Local Education Authority, School, business correspondence, personal correspondence, superintendents, Biggleswade Maythorn Hostel, warden, punishment, social services, clothing, Chief Education Officer, Director, Education Officer, education staff, further education, health, newsletter, hairdressers, building work, LEISURE ACTIVITIES, probationary period, nursery schools, supervisor, school governors, qualifications, education speech therapy, physiotherapy, Area Health Authorities, health authorities, events, Bedfordshire Musical Festival, agenda, evening classes, Stratton Upper School, residential unit, unemployment, nurses, NALGO, National and Local Government Officers' Association, BBC, Children in Need, national charities, funding, mobile homes, education centres, Christmas, St.John's Special School, KEMPSTON, secretary, food & drink, dried meat, school meals, defamation, careers officer, illness, syncope