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Wales to pour millions into support for children with additional learning needs

Wales to pour millions into support for children with additional learning needs
8 February 2017



The Welsh Government has announced plans to invest £20m, over the course of the Assembly term, to support those with additional learning needs.

The Government has said that half of the funding will come from the £100 million investment over the Assembly term to improve school standards and the other £10m will come from existing budgets.

The Government added that while this is subject to confirmation of budgets at the next spending review, protecting this funding is a priority. 

The Welsh Government has announced plans to invest £20m, over the course of the Assembly term, to support those with additional learning needs.

The Government has said that half of the funding will come from the £100 million investment over the Assembly term to improve school standards and the other £10m will come from existing budgets.

The Government added that while this is subject to confirmation of budgets at the next spending review, protecting this funding is a priority. 

In December, the Welsh Government revealed proposals for a law to support learners with additional learning needs (ALN).

If passed, the Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal Bill will completely overhaul the system for supporting pupils with ALN, affecting every classroom in Wales. 

The planned investment will support ALN learners in a range of ways over the next five years, including helping the education sector transfer to new system set out in the Bill, encouraging organisations to work closely together, developing the workforce and raising awareness of ALN.

Last year just 23% of learners with ALN achieved five good GCSE’s including Maths and Welsh or English compared to 59% of all pupils and the Welsh ministers are looking to improve on this rate.

 The minister for lifelong learning, Alun Davies, said: ‘This £20m funding package builds on investments we have already made in transforming additional learning needs provision in Wales.

‘This funding will help develop the skills of frontline staff to better support ALN learners. It is essential that all staff including early years professionals, teachers, FE lecturers and support staff are all aware of the new approach.’

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