Decision details

The Director, Education and Inclusion Services provided the Cabinet with proposals for the creation of additional mainstream Learning Support Class (LSC) provision for pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) and Welsh medium LSC provision to support pupils with significant additional learning needs within Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Members learned that it is a requirement of Section 315 of the Education Act 1996 for Local Authorities to regularly review arrangements for supporting pupils with SEN and to ensure that provision is sufficient and meets the needs of its communities.

The Director advised that the proposed additional LSCs will ensure that the Council has an enhanced focus on providing more effective mainstream inclusion opportunities for pupils with SEBD and for Welsh medium pupils with significant Additional Learning Needs.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services thanked the Director for the comprehensive report and spoke of the importance of improving outcomes and providing more effective opportunities for all children and young people, whilst also tying in with the Welsh Government’s ALN Transformation Agenda.

(Note: County Borough Councillor M. Webber was not present for the vote)

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the information contained within the report;

2.    To note the proposals for the creation of three SEBD LSC provisions and one Welsh medium LSC provision to support pupils with significant additional learning needs within the context of the School Organisation Code (2018) and the 21^st Century School Modernisation Programme; and

3.    To formally approve to commence consultation on the following proposals:

·         To create a new Key Stage 3/4 LSC provision for pupils with SEBD at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School;

·         To create a new Key Stage 3/4 LSC provision for pupils with SEBD at Ferndale Community School;

·         To create a new Key Stage 3/4 LSC provision for pupils with SEBD at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School;

·         To create a new Key Stage 3/4 LSC provision for pupils with significant Additional Learning Needs (ALN) at Ysgol Garth Olwg.