Green light for new specialist ALN bases at some borough schools

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Proposals to set up specialist ‘resource bases’ for pupils with additional learning needs have been given the go-ahead.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet met on Wednesday September 17 to approve the plans.

Specialist resource bases could now be set up at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s Gellihaf campus, in Fleur de Lis; at Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, in Oakdale; at St Helens RC Primary School, in Caerphilly town; and at Idris Davies School, in Abertysswg.

A fifth school could also open a base, but the council has not yet determined its location.

During a consultation period held earlier this year, 90 of the 106 respondents – which included parents, school staff and governors – said they supported the proposal to set up the bases.

According to the council, the benefits of setting up these bases include “ensuring needs are met closer to home and avoiding costly out-of-county provision”.

Pupils with additional needs will also receive “targeted” support while also having “access to a mainstream primary or secondary school environment”.

A Statutory Notice will now be published in line with Welsh Government requirements before a final decision is made.

If implemented, the proposals will see almost half a million pounds of investment in new specialist resource bases at:

• Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni (two classes)
• Idris Davies 3-18 School (three classes over two years with capacity for up to 30 pupils)
• Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School (one class with capacity for eight to ten pupils)
• St Helens RC Primary School (one class with capacity for eight to ten pupils)
• One further primary school, to be determined (one class with capacity for eight to ten pupils)

Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service