Proposals to Expand Learning Support Classes in Rhondda Cynon Taf Under Consultation

New classes for pupils with additional learning needs could be set up in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT).
The council is consulting on plans to increase the number of mainstream learning support classes from 48 to 52.
It would see the authority establish one early years’ intervention learning support class for pre-school children with significant presenting needs at Cwmaman Primary School which would take effect from September, 2025.
They would also set up an early years’ intervention learning support class for pre-school children with significant presenting needs at Penyrenglyn Primary School in Treherbert.
Another proposal is to establish a learning support class for pupils in years 7-11 with complex learning needs at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. The council would also relocate the learning support class for pupils years 3-6 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Penywaun Primary School to Hirwaun Primary School, also from September, 2025.
And it would create one learning support class for pupils in reception–year two with Autistic Spectrum Disorder at Hirwaun Primary School.
RCT spends in the region of £5.8m annually on learning support classes.
There are currently around 420 pupils accessing the 48 learning support classes within RCT across a range of needs which compares to 330 pupils accessing 46 learning support classes in October, 2018.
The council has said that three early years classes have exceeded their optimal capacity, while there is a shortfall across years 7-11 in the secondary phase.
There is also no learning support class for secondary pupils with complex learning difficulties in the Cynon Valley, so pupils must travel to Tonyrefail, Ferndale or Treorchy.
The council also said there were six classes for year 3-6 with social communication needs/ASD, but only five classes across reception to year two which were either at or over their optimum capacity in September, 2024.
Of the six year 3-6 classes, only three have a corresponding provision from reception to year two, so many pupils have to make additional transitions from one site to another.
A report to cabinet last month said that data analysis confirmed there was currently insufficient provision in the secondary phase, the absence of cross phase specialist provision on some school sites means that some learners experienced unnecessary transitions, and there was insufficient provision to meet the needs of learners in the early years.
It said the proposals would aim to develop “a robust continuum of provision that effectively addresses a wide range of need across all year groups” as well as avoid unnecessary transition across schools by establishing cross phase
specialist provisions within individual schools where possible and set up learning support classes in fully accessible settings that provide a learning
environment fit for the 21st Century.
The council’s education scrutiny committee will consider the matter at a meeting on Monday, October 14.
The consultation is taking place over six weeks from September to November. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​