What are Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?
A person has additional learning needs (ALN) 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 (ALP).
This would be if he or she:
- has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
- has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities for education of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained school.
A new ALN system in Wales in being put into place between September 2021 and August 2024.
How will my child be supported?
There are three tiers of support which are outlined here in our Provision Matrix and explained below.
Universal Provision (UP)
As a school we ensure that he needs of all pupils are met through high quality teaching and learning provision.
Universal Provision is maximising the classroom environment and refining teaching strategies and resources that are available to all.
These include strategies to help concentration and attention, communication and interaction, literacy and numeracy, memory and organisational skills.
Examples of our Universal Provision include:
- Whole class teaching
- Collaborative group work
- Small group and individual interventions
- Teaching strategies as outlined in ‘How we Teach’
- Pre-teaching strategies
- Visual timetables
- Specific resources e.g. numincon, number lines, sounds mats
- Boost Reading
Appropriate and reasonable adjustments are made to enable access for all to the learning and school environment.
A comprehensive list of universal provision at Barker’s Lane can be accessed here.
Most pupils will make expected progress from their starting point during their time with us at Barker’s Lane.
Careful observations and assessments enable us to identify quickly any pupils who are not making as much progress as expected and a graduated response is employed. Initially short-term intervention is put in place and progress is closely monitored with a view to the pupil making progress and fully accessing learning through universal provision.
Targeted Universal Provision (TUP)
When reasonable adjustments in universal provision are not working well for a pupil, a Targeted Universal Provision Plan (TUPP) would be discussed by the teacher and ALNCo with parents / carers. Small steps targets are identified and strategies to support the pupil to meet these are planned and implemented. The pupil is central to this plan and is involved in an age / stage appropriate way in decisions affecting their ALN provision.
These plans are usually reviewed termly with pupils and parents / carers, however teachers review these targets as part of their on-going assessment to refine any targets or provision as and when needed.
Individual Development Plan (IDP)
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) may be drawn up with parents / carers, school staff, the ALNCo and usually other professionals together with the pupil when the TUPP is not working to address the pupils needs and improve their progress. Evidence is gathered and a person centred meeting takes place to determine the additional learning provision (ALP) that is needed.
A school draws up and maintains the IDP with a long-term outcome and small steps targets towards this. These plans are usually reviewed termly with pupils and parents / carers, however teachers review these targets as part of their on-going assessment to refine any targets or provision as and when needed.
Occasionally it may be necessary for the Local Authority to maintain the IDP.
Further Information
More information is available from school by contacting the office by email or telephone and asking to speak to Mrs Richardson who is the Additional Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo).
Welsh Government have produced information for parents, carers and children:
A children’s guide can be accessed by clicking here.
A guide for parents and carers can be accessed by clicking here.
The Rights of Children and Parents / Carers under the ALN System
There is information available here about:
- how children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN) will be supported under the ALN system
- how the ALN system will work
- what parents can do if they disagree with decisions made by organisations providing support for their child
- the rights children, their parents and young people have under the ALN system
SNAP Cymru
SNAP Cymru is a national charity https://www.snapcymru.org/.
Its main aim is to advance the education of people in Wales and support their inclusion.
SNAP Cymru offers free and independent information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of additional learning needs(ALN) and disabilities. They give advice and support on a range of issues.
They can also provide advocacy, disagreement resolution and discrimination advice if and when needed.
Full information is available on their website by clicking here.