£20 million from Welsh Government for students with additional learning needs

The Welsh Government have announced an investment of £20 million for students with additional learning needs.

This is part of the additional £100 million extra investment over the Assembly term to improve school standards. The funding is intended to improve the aspirations of those who need extra support extra support in the education system, and make it easier for them to achieve their goals.

This funding is subject to confirmation of budgets at the next spending review, but protecting this funding is a priority for the Welsh Government.

In December, proposals for an ambitious law to create a bold new approach to supporting learners with additional learning needs. The Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal Bill will, if passed, completely overhaul the system for supporting pupils with ALN, affecting every classroom in Wales.

The £20 million of planned investment will support ALN learners in a range of ways over the next five years, including helping the education sector transfer to new system set out in the Bill, encouraging organisations to work closely together, developing the workforce and raising awareness of ALN.

Last year just 23% of learners with ALN achieved five good GCSE’s including Maths and Welsh or English compared to 59% of all pupils and Ministers want to improve on this.