Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech opening Lincoln school for the disabled

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: St Francis’s School, Lincoln
Source: Lincolnshire Echo, 1 May 1971
Editorial comments:

Exact time uncertain.

Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 405
Themes: Secondary education, Education

MRS. THATCHER TELLS OF NEED TO AID HANDICAPPED

Special Schools were needed to give handicapped children a chance to develop their abilities to the full, said Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, Secretary of State for Education and Science, in Lincoln yesterday.

“It doesn't matter who the child is, or where he comes from, we are trying to give every child the opportunity to develop his talents,” she said.

Mrs. Thatcher was opening the £166,000 St. Francis School for physically handicapped and delicate children.

“What we are doing by building these special schools is giving a memorial from the advantageous to the disadvantageous.

“If you have all the mental and physical faculties, you start off with many advantages which a few children don't possess.”

She said concern, imagination and endeavour were needed if the children were to be given the opportunities.

More than 130,000 children, including the mentally handicapped, were in special schools. They needed more individual attention, and the schools required more careful thought than others.

“Last year £12-13m was spent in trying to provide accommodation in special schools. In some respects it is like a housing list. It never dwindles as more children are coming forward for places.”

Projects started last year would provide 4,700 day places, and more than 400 boarding places.

“This is the sort of concern which has given rise to schools such as this. Our concern as a community, as individuals, and elected authorities, leads us to try to make provisions of this kind.”

TRIBUTE

Imagination followed concern, and imagination was needed to create the schools. It was also required to provide the right sort of curriculum which would give the children the greatest help.

Mrs. Thatcher said that without the endeavour of the local education authorities, the rate and taxpayer, central government, and the teachers, the schools could not succeed.

“The ultimate tribute for the success of these schools goes to the teachers,” she said. “If you want to see devotion in practice, look at the teachers who work in these schools.”

Ald. Sir Francis Hill, chairman of Lincoln Education Committee, introduced Mrs. Thatcher, who was thanked by the Mayor, Ald. Mrs. M. R. Sookias.

The school was opened last September. It will eventually have 90 pupils from all over the county between five and 16, 40 of them boarding at the school.