Additional Learning Needs(ALN) Transformation in Wales
Please see copies of letters that have been sent out to the parents of pupils with Additional Learning Needs informing them of the changes that will be coming into schools in the Spring Term.
Letters for Pupils with Additional Learning Needs
Important Information relating to the new ALN Bill.
In Wales, we want to transform expectations, experiences and outcomes for children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN).
To do so, the Welsh Assembly have developed the additional learning needs (ALN) transformation programme, which transforms the separate systems for special educational needs (SEN) in schools and learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) in further education, to create a unified system for supporting learners from 0 to 25 with ALN.
The transformed system will:
- ensure that all learners with ALN are supported to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential
- improve the planning and delivery of support for learners from 0 to 25 with ALN, placing learners’ needs, views, wishes and feelings at the heart of the process
- focus on the importance of identifying needs early and putting in place timely and effective interventions which are monitored and adapted to ensure they deliver the desired outcomes.
New legislation and statutory guidance is only one aspect, albeit a fundamental one, of the wider package of reforms needed. The ALN transformation programme also focuses on skills development for the education workforce, to deliver effective support to learners with ALN in the classroom, as well as easier access to specialist support, information and advice.
ALN stands for Additional Learning Needs. At Llanrhidian Primary School we recognise that all pupils come to school at different stages of development and with different needs. Whilst many factors contribute to the range of difficulties experienced by some children, we believe that much can be done to overcome them by parents, teachers and pupils working together.
Llanrhidian Primary school values the abilities and achievements of all its pupils. All children are valued, respected and nurtured. We endeavour to provide the best educational opportunities for each child and strive to maximise their potential in a ‘can do’ learning culture.
Pupils who meet our criteria for having ALN will be supported by class teachers, teaching assistants other adults and their learning environment. As a school we identify support for Pupils under the following areas:
- School Action (SA) - Support for Pupils identified as School Action lies within our School. This may be in the form of school based interventions or differentiated tasks in class. There would be no involvement or support from any external agencies
- School Action Plus (SA+) - Those who are identified as School Action Plus will have the additional support and/or advice of external agencies such as Speech and Language, Behaviour Specialist teachers or Educational Psychologists.
- Statement - Pupils with statements are provided with provision to meet their needs by the Local Authority, who take responsibility for this Statement. The school will fully engage with the statement process.
The ALN aims of the school
- To meet the needs of all pupils through excellent teaching strategies, classroom organisation and differentiation.
- To have a whole school Universal Provision that addresses the needs of all pupils.
- To ensure that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum To ensure that early identification of a pupil’s needs is made
- To ensure that ALN pupils take as full a part as possible in all school activities
- To use a Person Centred practice where the pupil, parents, school staff and outside support agencies are involved from he beginning in planning actions and ways forward to support pupils with ALN.
- To ensure that parents are kept regularly informed of their child’s progress
- To ensure that ALN pupils are involved, where practical, in decisions affecting their future ALN provision
- To Work in partnership with parents, pupils and other agencies e.g. Educational Psychologist, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, School Nurse etc.
School based Intervention programmes.
