Additional Learning Needs
The approach to supporting children and young people who have difficulties with learning is changing.
The Welsh Government has passed new legislation called the Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Act (the Act), which is supported by the Additional Learning Needs Code (Code). The Act and Code will replace the current legislation and guidance about special educational needs.
The Welsh Government is bringing in a more flexible and responsive system of meeting the needs of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and are striving to deliver a fully inclusive education system for the learners of Wales.
The whole of Wales will transition to the new ALN system over a period of 3 years.
The new system provides a clear definition of ALN. ‘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.’
Some children and young people who need extra help in nursery, school, pupil referral unit (PRU) or college do not have an ALN. This may be children or young people who just need some help catching up.
Extra support given to children with ALN to help them learn is called Additional Learning Provision (ALP). This provision must be written into a support plan called an Individual Development Plan (IDP). Additional Learning Provision is something that is in addition to, or different from, that which is made available to most children of the same age.
Additional Learning Provision can be delivered by teachers, teaching assistants, tutors or specialist services like a speech and language therapist.
Padre Pio School has a designated Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo - Mrs H Jones) and link Governor (Mrs C Thomas). The ALNCo is responsible for liaising between staff, pupils, parents and outside agencies to ensure that the right support is in place for your child.
If you think your child has ALN, please see your Child’s Class Teacher.
For more information please use the following links: