Special needs schools: teachers and pupils early 1970s

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down south
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Special needs schools: teachers and pupils early 1970s

Post by down south »

A couple of pictures now from our local special needs schools.

This one relates to Craigbank School; not sure where that was or what group it served, but this and another reference I've found to it suggest it came in that category . Here in April 1972 we have the head teacher Miss Dickson accepting a donation from the Round Table who were also throwing an Easter party for the pupils, complete with gifts of Easter eggs it would seem. I would guess the other lady was also a teacher.
Miss Dickson of Craigbank school April 1972.jpg
Susan
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Re: Special needs schools: teachers and pupils early 1970s

Post by down south »

We're more familiar with the James Reid special school, which used to be on Campbell Avenue in Saltcoats in the era we're talking about; see here. And here is a picture of the retiral of its head teacher, Mr Robert Baird, in June 1973, showing him being presented with a gift by the pupils.
James Reid school retirement June 1973.jpg
A short article gave details:

Mr Robert L Baird, MA, who has been headmaster of James Reid School, Saltcoats, since January 1959, retires on August 26 and was given a pair of binoculars from his pupils.

At a dinner held in the Stanley Hotel on Monday ,Mr and Mrs Baird received gifts from the staff and friends - a bookcase and a bouquet - and Mr Baird also received a book token from the janitor and cleaners.

Mr Baird is a graduate of Glasgow University and did his teacher training at Jordanhill College. He started his teaching career at Paisley Grammar School and then moved to Saltcoats Secondary School, in both of which schools he taught mathematics.

Thereafter Mr Baird took the course for teaching mentally and physically handicapped children and came as headmaster to James Reid School in 1959. Altogether Mr Baird has taught for 37 years.


Some may remember Mr Baird from his Saltcoats Public days; it looks like that's him, misnamed Mr Beard, in this photo of Saltcoats Public staff from 1953:

http://www.threetowners.net/forum/viewt ... 1200#p1200

Another senior James Reid teacher was also reported as leaving around this date:

On leaving James Reid School, Saltcoats, Miss Jessie A Wilson, assistant head teacher, received a gift from the pupils of the school. Mr Baird, the headmaster, also presented Miss Wilson with a gift from the staff. Miss Wilson has been at James Reid School since 1963.

Susan
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