The Cabinet Secretary for Education will today (Wednesday
8th May) set out how she will ensure additional
learning needs (ALN) reforms are being implemented consistently
in Welsh schools and local authorities.
She will also announce a further £20m for schools to improve
facilities for learners with ALN as part of a debate on ALN
reforms this afternoon.
Education Secretary said:
“Excellent work is happening to support learners with additional
learning needs across Wales. I have made it my job in the first
few weeks to listen to parents, schools, local authorities and
the health sector to see what is happening on the ground.
“I want to act now to improve the implementation of the ALN
system, focusing on the fundamental issues that are being raised
with me.
“We have already extensively reviewed implementation, but I want
to see further improvements to make the system more consistent
across Wales.
“The extra £20m, as part of our Sustainable Communities for
Learning Programme, will continue to make a huge difference to
the education of learners with additional learning needs. Every
child in Wales has the right to an excellent education and it is
vital to continue to invest in it for all children to succeed.”
The £20m announced today will help with building and
updating sensory areas, specialist equipment upgrades, specialist
classrooms and outdoor spaces as well as improving the additional
learning provision through the medium of Welsh.
Over the last three years we have invested an extra £60 million
in ALN infrastructure as part of our Sustainable Communities for
Learning Programme and protected our extra investment of £56.3m
to implement reforms and boost resources in schools, further
education and local authorities.
In 2022 Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Y Nant in Barry received a grant of
nearly £214,000 which was used to create and equip a specialist
ALN resource centre at the school. This will also increase Welsh
language provision for ALN learners.
Rhydian Lloyd, headteacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Y Nant
said:
“The additional funding has allowed us to establish a modern and
dedicated Welsh-medium resource base for ALN learners across the
Vale of Glamorgan.
“We are noticing a significant increase in pupils presenting with
ALN, particularly those with autism spectrum condition and
significant social communication, interaction, anxiety, and
regulation difficulties.
“By establishing our resource base, we can further support these
pupils and in doing so improve the provision for some of our most
vulnerable learners.”
