What are Additional Learning Needs?

A person has Additional Learning Needs (A.L.N.) if they have a learning difficulty or disability, that can arise from a medical condition or otherwise, which calls for Additional Learning Provision (A.L.P.).

How will my child be supported?

Children and young people learn in different ways and their needs may change over time. Through a continuous cycle of identifying needs and sharing information, planning, taking action and reviewing progress, different support can be identified and provided as necessary.

This could be increased, reduced or changed according to your child’s individual progress. This means that earlier decisions and actions are revisited, refined and revised to help achieve a growing understanding of your child. It also supports them in making progress and helps them to realise their hopes and aspirations.

There are three levels of support which are used at Penygelli Primary School to help all pupils achieve their full potential.

Universal Provision

As a school, we adopt a ‘high-quality teaching’ approach. High-quality teaching, differentiated for individual pupils, is available to all children who may or may not have A.L.N. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support all our pupils.

The key characteristics of high-quality teaching are:

• A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum with high engagement of pupils.
• High-quality teaching that is differentiated.
• High expectations of every pupil.
• Appropriate use of teacher questioning, modelling and explaining.

Targeted Universal Provision

There may be times when some of our pupils will require additional support with their learning through a targeted approach. Where it is decided a pupil will have Targeted Universal Provision (T.U.P.), we will talk to the parents and their child. We will agree what intervention will be put in place, set small step targets, as well as the expected impact on progress, development or behaviour, along with a clear date for review. The class teacher will remain responsible for working with the child. If a pupil continues to make progress accessing Targeted Universal Provision, then this can continue as required.

Individual Development Plan

If a pupil does not make progress according to the outcomes described over a sustained period of time, the school will seek specialist expertise. This will inform future provision. We may liaise with the following services - Educational Psychology Service, School Health, Physiotherapy Service, Occupational Therapy Service, and, when appropriate, Social Services and Looked After Children Team.

The appropriate processes as documented in the statutory A.L.N. Code will then be followed. If deemed appropriate, an Individual Development Plan (I.D.P.) will be formulated. This is drawn up by parents / carers, school staff, the ALNCo and usually other professionals, together with the pupil. Evidence is gathered, and a person-centred meeting takes place to determine the Additional Learning Provision (A.L.P.) that is needed.​

A school draws up and maintains the I.D.P. with a long-term outcome and small steps targets. Occasionally, it may be necessary for the Local Authority to maintain the I.D.P.