Additional Learning Needs

Introduction to ALN

Additional Learning Needs (ALN) at Cefn Hengoed Community School

At Cefn Hengoed Community School, our Additional Learning Needs provision is led by a dedicated team ensuring that every learner receives the care, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive.

We are proud of the inclusive ethos that runs throughout our department. We celebrate the individuality of our students, recognising that each one brings unique strengths and talents to our school community. Our mission is to empower every learner to reach their full potential, and this commitment is at the heart of everything we do.

We work in close partnership with parents/carers, cluster primary ALNCOs and Secondary ALNCOs, and a wide network of professionals including Educational Psychologists, Behaviour Support Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, and Specialist Teachers for Visual, Hearing, Physical, and Medical needs. These strong collaborations help us create a learning environment that is both accessible and supportive for our learners.

Our department is more than a support system—it is a vibrant, nurturing community that values and celebrates diversity. We are committed to ensuring that no student is left behind, preparing them for a future where inclusion and acceptance are central.

The four key areas of need are:

• Cognition and Learning
• Emotional, Social, and Behavioural
• Physical and Sensory Needs
• Communication and Interaction

We have a fantastic team of Teaching Assistants that help students access the curriculum effectively. Additionally, our Social Communication Champion supports learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ensuring their needs are met with understanding and expertise.

We maintain strong links with our partner primary schools, allowing us to build a clear understanding of each pupil’s needs before they join us in Year 7. Our enhanced transition programme ensures that students with ALN experience a smooth and confident start to secondary school, helping them feel familiar and secure in their new environment.

Staff and pupils in the STF were particularly proud to read the following information in the most recent Estyn Report (October 2023):

‘Pupils with additional learning needs, including those who attend the specialist teaching facility (STF), benefit from effective support. They make good progress in relation to their targets and are integrated fully into the school community.’

‘Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is well led and co-ordinated, enabling most of these pupils to make good progress towards their individual targets. There is effective on-site provision to support pupils with autistic spectrum condition that meets their individual needs successfully.’

‘The STF provides a nurturing and supportive environment in which pupils make strong progress from their starting points. Pupils who attend this facility are integrated fully into school life and develop their confidence and self-worth successfully.’