ALN / ADY

Additional Learning Needs
Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol

ALN Introduction

Pupils have different strengths and abilities, particular needs and areas for development. Some pupils show academic ability early and need to be encouraged and appropriately challenged. Others need more time or assistance to develop their skills in reading, spelling or mathematics or their emotional health and wellbeing.

All areas of school life are inclusive and the teaching is tailored towards individual learning providing challenge and support; encouraging everyone to reach their full potential. Account is taken of individual needs through appropriate differentiation of the curriculum both in the classroom and where appropriate, in an individual or small group situation. Staff provide a positive ethos to enable the children to work towards the development of ‘life skills’ and instil lifelong learning aspirations for everyone through a range of activities which are fun and enjoyable.

From September 2021, the school will be working to the definition of additional learning as identified in the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021:

(1) A person has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability (whether the learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition or otherwise) which calls for additional learning provision.

(2) A child of compulsory school age or person over that age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she— (a) has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or (b) has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities for education or training of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained schools or mainstream institutions in the further education sector.

(3) A child under compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she is or would be if no additional learning provision were made, likely to be within subsection (2) when of compulsory school age.

(4) A person does not have a learning difficulty or disability solely because the language (or form of language) in which he or she is or will be taught is different from a language (or form of language) which is or has been used at home

Any child who is identified as having additional learning needs will be provided with additional learning provision. This is identified as:

(1) “Additional learning provision” for a person aged three or over means educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that made generally for others of the same age in— (a) mainstream maintained schools in Wales, (b) mainstream institutions in the further education sector in Wales, or (c) places in Wales at which nursery education is provided.

(2) “Additional learning provision” for a child aged under three means educational provision of any kind.

(3) In subsection (1), “nursery education” means education suitable for a child who has attained the age of three but is under compulsory school age.

When organising additional learning support it is very important that we provide children who have ALN with a broad and balanced curriculum and regular access to all areas of learning. We believe that children with ALN should not be routinely segregated from their class teachers and peers but be included as much as possible within their class.

We will ensure that teachers and teaching assistants are prepared for dealing with any challenges and complex difficulties posed by children with ALN by providing them with the necessary training. We believe that teachers are responsible for children’s learning and teaching assistants will be used effectively to provide the necessary support for children with ALN within the classroom.

We fully embrace person centred practices in our school and as such aim to include both ALN pupils and their parents in any decisions that might affect them. All children who are identified as having ALN will be in receipt of an Individual Development Plan which includes a One Page Profile.

Further support can be gained through the services of specialist teachers or educational psychology team.

The Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator is Mrs B Williams.

If you are concerned about your child and the progress he/she is making please speak to their class teacher.

ALN Reform

From September 2021, the current Special Educational Needs framework will be replaced with a new and reformed system called Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act. All schools in Wales will be required to make changes to their current systems. We are currently working in collaboration with Cardiff County Council to ensure a smooth transition to the new ALNET Act.

You will be invited to attend a parent information meeting to discuss the changes. If you would like further information about the changes that are happening, please click on the links provided.

ALN Statement

Every child develops and learns at a different rate: some children find learning easy, some find it hard and some may need more support.

If you or the school are concerned that your child is not making progress, it is possible that they may have Additional Learning Needs, A.L.N.

The school’s Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) can work with your child’s teacher to assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses and advise other members of staff who are involved in working with your child. If we think your child has additional learning needs, we will invite you in to school to discuss what help is needed.