Additional Learning Needs

Is Ysgol Friars the right school for a child with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?

The short answer is yes - and so is the long one. We are committed to ALN students and are proud to have taken a whole-school approach to delivering a curriculum that is accessible to everybody.

A child with Additional Learning Needs is somebody who requires extra support/preparation. This can be for a variety of reasons: academic level and ability, specified learning difficulties, emotional/behavioural/social issues, or a physical/sensory disability.

We do our best at all times:

To ensure every student has an equal opportunity to develop and enjoy a curriculum that is relevant, broad, balanced, and differentiated (adjusted to suit the needs of the individual), whatever their educational needs.
To identify children with additional learning needs and to ensure they make the right progress.
To ensure everybody is comfortable and supported and plays their vital part in our school life.
To support, guide and encourage parents/guardians to play their vital role in the process of educating children with ALN.
To work effectively and efficiently as possible with external agencies (both statutory and voluntary).

At Ysgol Friars, we’re here to help everybody succeed.

We assess and utilise all information provided in student transfer records/meetings as they make the transition from primary school.

We go above and beyond to offer:

Extra small group sessions for literacy and numeracy.
Bespoke, targeted support to improve reading skills.
Our Nurture Unit - a programme that nurtures ALN students in smaller group sessions in the comfort of the library, with fewer teachers, which makes their lessons feel more like a continuation of primary school.
Adaptable and flexible lessons and materials.
Student support assistants for group/individual provision.
Liaising with external agencies to arrange additional help and support if required.
Ongoing communication, progress reviews, and meetings with you to ensure your child is making the right progress.

Accessibility arrangements

All the school’s main facilities are accessible via lifts except for the teaching area above the Sports Hall and the Art and Social and Humanities block, which, owing to their design, do not have lift access.

Toilet facilities are available for students in each part of the school. In addition, there are accessible toilet facilities in all the school’s main facilities, except the area above the Sports Hall and the Art and Humanities block, again owing to their design.

If necessary, and to meet the needs of all children, art classes may be moved to a more accessible block.