ALN at Cefn Cribwr Primary School

Our vision for all pupils is to enable all children to achieve the best possible education and become independent learners. As a school we are committed to breaking down the barriers of learning and instilling self- belief in all our pupils.

This will be achieved through:

• High quality intervention programs, delivered by specially trained staff.
• Supporting mainstream teachers to ensure provision is differentiated, personalised and will meet the needs of each individual.
• Ensuring pupils’ additional needs are identified at the earliest opportunity using a range of specialised assessments.
• High quality teaching, support strategies and interventions tailored to pupils’ individual needs which will enable them to achieve their full potential.

What are Additional Learning Needs (ALN)? 

A child has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for additional learning provision (ALP), beyond the Universal Provision provided for all learners. A child of compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 which prevents him or her from making use of facilities for education provided for others of the same age in mainstream-maintained schools.

At Cefn Cribwr Primary School we follow a graduated response when offering additional support. Pupils’ academic scores from specific literacy and numeracy assessments are considered along with in class observations. All pupils are provided with a One Page Pupil Profile which highlights their strengths, what is important to them and how best staff can support them. For pupils with ALN and/or specific learning needs an Enhanced One Page Pupil Profile is created with specific targets to track progress.

ALN Provision at  Cefn Cribwr Primary School

We have 3 specialist provision classes; OBS 1- Mynydd Bach which generally provides provision for ALN pupils in Nursery and Reception, OBS 2- Mynydd Fawr which generally provides provision for ALN pupils in Year 1 and Year 2 and LRC- which provides provision for ALN pupils in Year 3 – Year 6. Families must apply for a place in OBS and LRC and are offered a place by the Local Authority. Where a child is identified as having ALN and requiring a Specialist Provision Placement a referral form is sent by non-maintained settings or school to the Inclusion Service and a place at OBS/LRC is usually confirmed in the spring term.

Raising Concerns

If you have any concerns about your child’s progress in school please share these concerns firstly with your child’s class teacher. Your child’s class teacher will be able to speak to you about your child’s progress in school and direct you to the school Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCO) if necessary. At Cefn Cribwr Primary School our ALNCO is Mrs Donna Bowditch.

What if there is disagreement?

Children and parent(s)/ carer (s) or young people will be involved in writing their IDP. Working in this way will provide opportunities to discuss concerns and enable issues to be addressed and settled at an early stage. From time to time, disagreements can arise. The new ALN system and IDP process and the duty on schools and local authorities to consider the views, wishes and feelings of the child, parents or young person is intended to help overcome many disagreements. It is essential that problems are dealt with as quickly as possible and for children, young people and parent to have access to impartial information advice and support.