Shropshire Star

Changes to special needs teaching afoot in Mid Wales

More pupils with additional learning needs will be expected to be educated at mainstream schools in Mid Wales rather than at special needs schools, under new plans.

Published

The changes across Powys are being driven by transport costs, as well as new legislation.

In Wales, Special Education Needs legislation will be superseded by the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

The issue was discussed at the learning and skills scrutiny committee of Powys County Council on Monday.

In Powys, there are three special needs schools – Ysgol Cedewain, in Newtown, Ysgol Penmaes, in Brecon and Brynllywarch Hall School, in Kerry, with Ysgol Cedewain due to be rebuilt.

Councillor David Jones asked at the meeting: “There is a move for children to be educated near their home.

Mainstream

“Pupils from Llanfyllin, instead of being bussed up to Newtown each day, can receive their education in Llanfyllin and the same for pupils in Machynlleth and so on.

“Are we building a new school in Cedewain (Newtown), or moving towards children being educated in their own community?”

Education portfolio holder, councillor Myfanwy Alexander replied: “The answer is a bit of both. We will replace Cedewain but not like for like.

“We would like to see a special school become enablers for mainstream schooling. There are quite lot of children (at Cedewain) that could be in mainstream schooling.

“Physically, the building will not be expected to accommodate so many children. But the service will be catering for those who will stay under its roof and act as an outreach for schools without special needs provision or provide special needs through the Welsh language.”

Councillor Alexander continued: “We are going to rebuild the school because the building is not fit for purpose

“The children that will continue to be educated there, will be the ones with the most difficult to meet needs.

“If the needs of some of the children going there, can be met in mainstream schools with support, that is what should be happening. It’s simply a huge cost to transport them.”