Additional Learning Needs & Support Department
Additional Learning Needs
"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.”
Ysgol Penweddig values the abilities, achievements and contributions of all its pupils, and is committed to providing each pupil, irrespective of ability, gender and race, with a happy and caring environment in which they can develop their full potential both academically and socially. We recognise that there is a continuum of needs and that children with additional learning needs (ALN) have the right to the greatest possible access to the broad and balanced education set by the National Curriculum. Ysgol Penweddig aims to integrate all pupils into every aspect of school life.
Additional learning needs (ALN): parent and carers toolkit | GOV.WALES
Visit out Policies Page to learn more about ALN at Ysgol Penweddig.
Support Department
Department Lead
Additional Learning Needs co-ordinator
Mrs Angharad Evans
Departmental aims and Objectives
ALN Department Aims
We believe in providing every possible opportunity to develop the full potential of all children. All children will have the right to a broad and balanced curriculum including extra-curricular activities and full access to the Curriculum where appropriate. All children are valued and their self-esteem promoted. We work in close partnership with parents/guardians who play an active and valued role in their child’s education.
ALN Department Objectives
The objectives of our department are:
– To ensure that our young people are at the centre of our processes at Ysgol Penweddig.
– To identify and monitor young people’s individual needs from the earliest possible stage so that appropriate provision can be made and their attainment raised in line with their ability;
– To plan an effective curriculum to meet the additional needs of our pupils and ensure that the targets set in Individual Development Plans are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time related;
– To work in close partnership with, and involve, parents/guardians of young people who have additional learning needs;
– To ensure that all who are involved with our young people are aware of the procedures for identifying their needs as well as the strategies for supporting and teaching them effectively;
– To work in close partnership, where appropriate, with outside agencies to support the needs and provision for young people who have additional needs.
One Page Profiles
A one-page profile can help professionals provide better person-centered care and support. It’s a simple summary of what is important to someone and how they want to be supported. On your profile you can record how you would like people to help you, if and when you need care and support. We use one-page profiles to ensure pupils’ needs are met. It is also part of supporting the pupil voice through person centered meetings and the creation of Individual Development Plans.
Structure of the Support Department
School Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator: Mrs Angharad Evans
We have been an Autistic Friendly School since June 2018. The Autism Friendly School Award is a whole school approach to improving awareness and understanding of the needs of autistic pupils.
Experiences
Play unified
ALN pupils have the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting activities throughout the year, sporting activities include wheelchair basketball and rugby. The pupils also get an opportunity to socialise with pupils from schools around the county.
Specific ‘Play Unified’ sessions are organized for ALN pupils on a weekly basis to develop pupils’ sporting skills, sporting experiences and confidence.
Life skills
The life skills course follows the ASDAN scheme. The ASDAN scheme offers qualifications suitable for ALN pupils. The course has been tailored to the individual pupil considering the pupil’s aspirations. The course includes the following:
Relationships with Industry
Additional Learning Needs Work Experience Scheme – Year 10 to 13 Pupils.
The pupils have the opportunity to spend a period in a work placement as part of Ysgol Penweddig’s Life Skills course. They have the opportunity to learn about order, discipline and the working environment outside of school, and we hope that this will help them bridge the gap between school and work. We are very grateful that so many of the local employers are willing to collaborate with us in this way.
Caffi Gegin Cynnes
The department has developed a cafe for the school’s Staff. The ALN pupils take drink orders and serve the drinks. The pupils’ shop for the goods for the cafe and keep a record of the profits. The ALN pupils succeeded in winning the ‘tenner challenge’ national competition for their business im 2022. We are proud of their success.
Charity Work
We have held a coffee morning to raise money for Bronglais Hospital as part of the life skills scheme.
Visits
As part of the course the pupils have the opportunity to attend the town library, the National library, supermarkets, local shops, the cafe, the beach, the prom and the town in order to build on pupils’ life skills. We also encourage pupils to use public services such as buses and trains. We seek to reinforce and promote lifelong skills in order to promote independence in the future.