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The ALN system is the new statutory support system for children and young people aged 0 to 25 in Wales with ALN that came into force in September 2021.
The legislative framework of the new system is created by the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (‘the Act’), the ALN Code for Wales and regulations made under the Act. Through this statutory framework the Welsh Government aims to ensure that all learners with ALN are supported to overcome barriers to learning and can achieve their full potential, by creating:
The Act replaces the terms ‘special educational needs (SEN)’ and ‘learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD)’ with the new term ‘additional learning needs (ALN)’. Children and young people with ALN will receive support called additional learning provision (ALP) which will be set out in their ‘Individual Development Plan’ (IDP).
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School has a longstanding reputation for its excellent standards in providing a caring and supportive environment for all pupils. The school takes great pride in the extensive range of interventions it offers pupils with Additional Learning Needs
We have a strong committed team who are trained in a variety of specialist programmes which support literacy, numeracy and social communication skills. We aim to ensure all our pupils realise their full potential and encourage parents, governors and colleagues from outside agencies to co-operate with us to achieve this.
If you have an queries, concerns or would like further information then please contact Miss C Hopla (ALNCo) on 01443 479199.
The ALNCo visits all our primary feeders in the summer term to liaise with staff and meet pupils with Additional Learning Needs. All pupils are tested using standardised reading to ensure the appropriate intervention programme is delivered to identified pupils. Liaison with our primary staff ensures pupils individual additional learning needs are documented and considered, to ensure a smooth transition for all pupils.
A dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants provide both in-class support and withdrawal interventions. Our withdrawal intervention programmes range from individual intensive daily literacy support to improve reading and spelling, to small group provision for the development of both literacy and numeracy skills. We also offer support in developing social/emotional skills, providing identified pupils with a designated and supported area they can access before school, break times and lunch.
We offer a wide range of wellbeing interventions to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of our learners through our Calon MACS provision. This includes sessions with our Dog Mentor programme, cooking skills, mindful craft and sport alongside embedded ELSA work.
The provision also houses safe spaces for learners who need time to self-regulate; our Reset and Reflect room provides a calm and welcoming space to support identified learners.
Vulnerable learners are able to access ‘The Cwtch’ at break and lunchtimes, which is a fully supervised safe space within school.
Supporting pupils with Additional Learning Needs requires a whole school approach.
The ALNCo works closely with parents and carers to ensure that key information is shared and updated regularly and that staff are aware of any changes.
