Additional Learning Needs
At our school, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. Our Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision places the child at the centre of everything we do.
We at St David’s are passionate about delivering high quality additional learning provision for our learners. We work closely with families, teachers, and specialist professionals to create personalised learning pathways that build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Through a nurturing environment and inclusive practices, we celebrate each child’s strengths while providing the targeted support they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
What is additional learning needs (ALN) and additional learning provision (ALP)?
Your child may have ALN if they need extra support to learn. This could be because they:
- find it significantly harder to learn than other children of the same age
- have a disability that means they can’t use, or find it difficult to use, facilities for learning in the local nursery, school or college.
When parents have a concern that their child might have additional learning needs, their first port of call is to speak to the class teacher.
If you, or they, feel that more support is needed then a meeting can be arranged with Mrs Croke-West (ALNCO & Wellbeing Lead) to discuss future support and options.
When we recognise that our pupils might need some additional learning provision, the first step is an open discussion with the child, parents and key staff they work with through a person-centred planning meeting.
We follow a graduated response to meeting the needs of all our pupils:
Click here for our graduated response document
The Welsh Government’s introduction of the ALN Act means the following for your child and you as a parent:
- improved collaboration
- a unified plan
- participation and having a voice
- a simpler less adversarial system The ALN system aims to make sure that:
- children, their parents and young people’s views, wishes and feelings are listened to when decisions are being made about how to help children and young people
- the right support is put in place quickly to help children and young people with ALN
- everyone works together to help children and young people with ALN, including education and health services
- most children and young people with ALN can go to their local nursery, school, pupil referral unit (PRU) or college, if it is right for them
- children, and their parents, can access learning support even before they start school or nursery
- children, their parents and young people understand the additional learning provision being offered
- children and young people with ALN get help in Welsh, wherever possible, if they need it
- central to the planning and provision of support from local authorities and schools, PRUs and colleges will be the application of a person-centred approach The ALN system also places a duty on local authorities to provide impartial information and advice about ALN and the ALN system.
Where can parents get some advice or extra support outside of school?
We recognise that supporting a child who has additional learning needs can be daunting at times. The links below offer some advice and guidance. There are many organisations and avenues of support that can be accessed to help:
Parent's Toolkit - Welsh Government
Vale of Glam Family Intervention Service | Action For Children
Early Help Advice Line (formerly known as Families First Advice Line)
Parents and Carers - Children, Young People And Families
Family Wellbeing Service Cardiff | Barnardo's
Organisations who can help - BBC Children in Need
Top tips for parents of 4 to 7 year olds | GOV.WALES
Children 8 to 12 years | GOV.WALES