Cabinet has agreed to progress proposals to enhance the Council’s mainstream Learning Support Class offer for pupils with Additional Learning Needs, following a recent public consultation. The proposals would increase the number of these classes in the County Borough from 48 to 52.
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. In September, Cabinet Members agreed to consult residents on the proposals.
The Council’s current 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 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.
While there is an excellent range of Learning Support Classes available, there remains a need in some areas. Notably, all three Early Years classes have exceeded 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 are 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 proposed five changes to amend the Council’s current provision by September 2025, to address these areas of need. They 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.
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.
Overall, the proposals were well received, to invest in the Learning Support Class offer. However, concern was raised about the proposal to relocate one provision from Penywaun to Hirwaun, noting that disruption would be caused to the small number of pupils affected, and their families. A Full Consultation Response report is included as an Appendix to Wednesday’s Cabinet report.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Officers have carried out a consultation into proposals to further invest in our Learning Support Class offer for pupils with Additional Learning Needs, attached to our mainstream schools. The proposals have been brought forward as part of the process of continually reviewing the provision’s suitability – and while our 48 current classes offer excellent and varied support to our young people, there were some identified areas of shortfall which we are proposing to address.
“The proposals are focusing on addressing a need in the Early Years and secondary phase – while also aiming to offer a more consistent approach in some communities, to limit the need for pupils to unnecessarily move from one site to another. Instead, moving to a ‘through’ provision would minimise disruption to our young people, and provide consistency and familiarity in relation to the support they receive across different stages of their education.
“The consultation responses were generally in support of the proposals, to invest in the existing provision and increase the number of Learning Support Classes from 48 to 52. Having considered all feedback, and recommendations put before Members, Cabinet decided to progress the proposals – which will enable officers to proceed with publishing the relevant Statutory Notices.”
Posted on 24/01/2025