YOUNG children with additional learning needs (ALN) will be able to stay in their nursery for longer if Wrexham Council backs a new plan for Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn.
The council’s executive board will consider proposals on Tuesday, April 8 to extend provision at Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn – the only council-run nursery in the borough – for ALN pupils to allow them to remain in the nursery up to age seven.
Currently the nursery caters for pupils aged 3-4. For mainstream pupils that will continue but for ALN pupils who may need more time and support to make the transition from nursery to primary education, the change will give them extra time to adjust to the move into mainstream primary education.
If successful, the move could be the first step towards Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn offering educational ALN provision up to age 11.
“This is a creative way to extend ALN provision in the county,” said Lead Member for Education Cllr Phil Wynn. “It makes sense to retain certain learners in the school for longer. They are in a familiar environment with staff they know and it will help them to make that transition.”
A number of parents during the consultation period suggested they would like to see Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn offer education up to age 11 for ALN pupils – something Cllr Wynn did not rule out.
“Long-term we will be looking at providing additional ALN provision,” he said. “We are not looking to stand still.”
Interim Chief Executive of Wrexham Council Alwyn Jones – who is also Chief Officer for Social Care, added: “This seemed like a sensible position.
“It would have been taking too large a step to go to a larger age range straight away. This seems a sensible step in terms of supporting pupils who have a little more need and adds to our ability to support children who maybe need more time in that setting before they go to primary school.”
