Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many deaf children and how many partially deaf children attend special day classes at Swansea schools;
(2) what are the sizes of special classes for deaf and partially deaf children at Swansea schools;
(3) if deaf and partially deaf children are taught in the same classes in Swansea schools.
§ Mr. Crosland20 full-time pupils of Waun Wen Primary School are in two special classes for the partially hearing containing 10 children each. In addition, three pupils of other schools attend these classes part-time. The classes do not contain any pupils classified as deaf.
Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is his policy to encourage the teaching of deaf and partially deaf children in separate classes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CroslandYes, at the stage when classification of individual pupils as deaf or partially hearing is possible. This involves an evaluation, often extending over a number of years, of a variety of factors in addition to degree of hearing loss.
Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what class sizes are recommended by his Department for deaf and partially deaf children.
§ Mr. CroslandThe statutory maximum is 10 in each case. Local education authorities are aware of those circumstances making it desirable for handicapped pupils to be in classes smaller than the prescribed maxima.