Cabinet has given its final approval to enhance the Council’s mainstream Learning Support Class offer for pupils with Additional Learning Needs. The proposals, which will increase the overall number of these classes from 48 to 52, will be now implemented from the next academic year (2025/26).
A report to the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 9, reported on the outcome of the objection period for the proposed changes, which had previously been progressed by Members at their meeting in January 2025. The objection period ran from February 11 to March 14, 2025 – and the report noted that no objections or comments were submitted during this period.
The proposals were brought forward to respond to areas of need in the Early Years and secondary phase, and to target increasing the provision at some schools to limit unnecessary transitions for pupils from one site to another.
The Council’s 48 Learning Support Classes offer specialist placements for pupils who find it challenging to learn in mainstream education. It was reported to Cabinet in September 2024 that around £5.8m is spent each year to operate the classes, supporting 420 pupils. This has increased from 330 pupils and 46 classes since October 2018, highlighting the growth in demand.
Officers have also reported that, while there is an excellent range of Learning Support Classes available, there remains a need in some areas. Notably, all three Early Years classes exceed their optimal capacity, while there is a shortfall across Years 7-11 in the secondary phase. There is also no Learning Support Class for secondary pupils with Complex Learning Difficulties in the Cynon Valley, so pupils must travel to Tonyrefail, Ferndale or Treorchy.
In addition, there are six classes for Year 3-6 with Social Communication Needs/ASD, but only five classes across Reception to Year 2 – which were either at or over their optimum capacity in September 2024. Of the six Year 3-6 classes, only three have a corresponding provision from Reception to Year 2, so many pupils have to make additional transitions from one site to another.
Officers therefore brought forward five key changes to amend the Council’s current provision, to address these areas of need. These changes are to:
- Establish Early Years Intervention Learning Support Classes at Cwmaman Primary School and Penyrenglyn Primary School, for the pre-school age.
- Establish a primary phase Learning Support Class for pupils with Social Communication Needs/ASD at Hirwaun Primary School.
- Establish a Learning Support Class for pupils in Years 7-11 with Complex Learning Difficulties at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School.
- Relocate the Learning Support Class for Social Communication Needs/ASD from Penywaun Primary School to Hirwaun Primary School – to create a through-phase provision (Reception to Year 6) on one site. Only three current pupils would be relocated as part of this change.
Following Cabinet’s approval in September 2024, a consultation was held from September 30 to November 15, 2024. In total, 25 questionnaires were completed, along with three letters/emails and one petition. Officers attended meetings with 70 School Council representatives, while 23 parents attended open evenings held to provide further information. Having considered the feedback received, Cabinet decided to progress the proposals in January.
Following Cabinet’s latest decision, with Members having considered the outcome of the objection period, the proposals will now be implemented. The change will therefore come into effect from the start of September 2025.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Officers continually review our Learning Support Class offer, to ensure it remains suitable for the needs of pupils with Additional Learning Needs. While our 48 classes in mainstream schools provide varied and valuable support, officers have reported to Cabinet that there is an identified need in some areas. They prepared five proposals for consideration, focusing on addressing need in Early Years and secondary phases, introducing a more consistent approach in specific communities, and limiting the instances of pupils being moved from one school site to another.
“Having considered all of the feedback throughout the process – including the consultation responses that were generally in support of the proposals, and the fact there were no objections raised in the recent statutory period – Cabinet gave its final approval for the proposals on Wednesday. The five changes will therefore come into effect from the start of September 2025, with our overall number of Learning Support Classes being increased to 52.”
Posted on 11/04/2025