Stop the relocation of the ALN class from Penywaun Primary School
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is becoming famous for cutting public services for the children of Rhondda Cynon Taf now they are picking on Additional Learning Needs who attend a local school.
Our ALN (Additional Learning Needs) class at Penywaun Primary School has been situated at the school for 17 years, and unfortunately now faces a proposed move by the local authority to Hirwaun Primary School.
This change could disrupt the essential structured environment which the students heavily rely upon. Changes in surroundings and staff are significant factors that can impact negatively on their academic and personal progression, alongside their emotional well-being. Many of these students have built trust and established relationships with their current educational support staff, which is crucial to their learning experience. There are a couple of pupils in the class which if this move continues, will be relocating to Hirwaun for one academic year, followed by a further move to a secondary educational unit the following year.
According to a study by the British Journal of Special Education, consistent environment and familiar surroundings are key components to successful learning for children with ALN (Volume 47, Issue 3 – Sept 2020).
Some of these children also have siblings attending Penywaun Primary School which offer a familiar face and moral support to the students. If the ALN class is relocated, the peer and teacher support will be taken away, thus increasing unnecessary stress and anxiety. The staff in the ALN class are fantastic support and are always eager to help provide an inclusive environment for all children to grow and flourish. They can and have assisted with recognizing additional support needs in students being taught in mainstream classes. Penywaun Primary School was also named as the first Thrive School of Excellence in the UK for the role it plays in supporting the wellbeing of its pupils in order to prevent mental health issues. The environment the school provides allows all pupils to flourish in their education alongside teaching valuable life skills and inclusivity.
We understand the need for changes in educational structures, however, we strongly believe that the needs of our ALN students should be prioritized and are not being considered in the relocation proposals. From personal experience relocating a child to multiple schools because of ALN is very disruptive and stressful, and in most normal educational cases a child would not relocate schools unless there was an absolute need. We strongly oppose against the relocation of our ALN class, and as such, please may we ask you to sign this petition to support our efforts.
We also encourage all parents, caregivers, family and friends to please send their personal views on this matter by post to the Director of Education and Inclusion Services, Access and Inclusion Service, Ty Trevithick, Abercynon, CF45 4UQ, or by email to A&IService@rctcbc.gov.uk. The deadline for the consultation process is 5pm on 15th November 2024.
