Additional Learning Needs (ALN)

At Cyfarthfa Park Primary we have a fully inclusive ethos, and firmly believe that all children deserve to have the very best opportunities to achieve the best that they can be: 'Together towards tomorrow'.  All our staff encourage and support pupils to reach their full potential and promote positive self-esteem and success.

The SEN system is changing to a new 'Additional learning needs ' (ALN) system.

The Welsh Government is changing the way that children with special educational needs (SEN) will be supported. The new system defines SEN as Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The law is changing for several reasons : the main one is to make the process simpler and more transparent for all involved. (See below for more details)

From January 2022, for those pupils on the ALN register in N, Y1, Y3 and Y5, there will be a Person Centred review followed by an Individual Development plan (IDP)  being written in consultation with school staff, parents and the child. The IDP is intended to be a flexible document.  It will vary in length and complexity depending on the different needs of the child . The IDP will be reviewed every 12 months and will change according to the child's changing needs, although class teachers will informally review progress termly and discuss if  there needs to be any changes. Parents will obviously be informed and be involved in this and if needed, a new IDP will be created after an early PCP meeting has been called.

The other year groups will come on board in the  next couple of years, until then their IEPS and reviews will remain as they were.  For more information, see the links and information below or contact Mrs Cheeke.

Children will be moved to the new system gradually following this timetable : 


Spring and summer terms, school year 2021 to 2022   

Nursery Years 1 or 2, Year 1

Year 3 ,Year 5.


School year 2022 to 2023

Children with provision via school action/school action plus:

Any children who were in Nursery, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5, in 2021/22 who were not moved to the ALN system during 2021/22)

Children with provision via statements:

Nursery, Reception, Year 6. 


School year 2023 to 2024

Children with provision via school action/school action plus:  

Nursery, year 2, Year 4, Year 6, Year 8 and Year 10

Children with provision via statements:

Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6.


Any pupil new to the school who has ALN will move straight onto the new system. 


What happens if my child is no longer classed as ALN, but still needs extra help?

For those children who are no longer classed as ALN or SEN, but still need support, they will be known in our cluster as ‘Differentiation Plus’. Please be assured these pupils will continue to receive interventions and support as they have previously, if needed. They will have a termly learning plan (like an IEP) to closely monitor their individual targets and progress.


Interventions and support for pupils:

 

We have many types of interventions to support children's needs, including:


 Information for parents, carers and children on the new ALN act:

ALN Parent Guide 2020-ENG.pdf

ALN Information, Advice and Guidance for Parents

English

ALN Parent Guide 2020-WELSH.pdf

Gwybodaeth, cyngor ac arweiniad ar ADY i rieni a gofalwyr

Cymraeg


EP Support Line Service for parents.

Educational Psychology Service in RCT and Merthyr Tydfil


Need further advice on ALN after speaking to your class teacher and Mrs Cheeke?

The EPS Support Line will be running 3 afternoons per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and offers parents the opportunity to  discuss any concerns they may have  regarding the wellbeing and/or learning needs of children.

This service will enable parents to access psychological support without having to wait for a school visit .

      To access the EPS Support Line contact  via email at EPS@rctcbc.gov.uk

providing  a telephone contact and brief overview of the advice/support required.

Once a request has been received you will be contacted by a member of our team to arrange a 30 minute consultation slot at a convenient time.

Issues we can help with:

· Supporting children with additional learning needs

· Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Need to get in touch  with us in school?

For any further information on ALN or any queries please contact: 

ALNCo/Deputy Head: Mrs Lisa Cheeke  -      lcheeke@cyfarthfapark-pri.merthyr.sch.uk

Assistant ALNCo/Y1 class teacher: Mrs Sophie Millard   -    shodgkiss@cyfarthfapark-pri.merthyr.sch.uk

Or call 01685 351807.

Person Centred Practices (PCP) 

At Cyfarthfa Park Primary we aim to be person centred in the way we think and teach. We believe that each child is an individual and that learning should be personalised. We use a range of person centred thinking tools during circle time and wellbeing sessions. These tools help staff get to know the children on a deeper level and understand their needs. 

PCP Tools includes;

Using these tools helps form a One Page Profile. 

 

One Page Profiles.

A One Page Profile captures all the important information about a person on a single sheet of paper under three simple headings: 

-what people like/appreciate about me, 

-what’s important to me 

-how best to support me.







Outside Support agencies/useful websites