Latest news with #GlynogDavies
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special school options announced after protests
Two options for a new special school are to be investigated after protests over a council's decision not to replace the existing over-subscribed special school. About 300 campaigners marched through Llanelli in September claiming Carmarthenshire council broke a promise to fund a new building for Ysgol Heol Goffa. The council, which u-turned on plans to shut the school last year, said it was looking at either a 150-pupil school, or one with a capacity of 250. Campaigners called the announcement "really positive". A replacement school was first proposed several years ago at the former Draka copperworks site in Llanelli. The council decided not to press ahead with it last year citing soaring project costs. People with learning disabilities 'locked up' Call for talks over additional needs school U-turn 'Brutal' restraint of autistic boy in calming room The decision sparked dismay and anger among campaigners, and the council commissioned an independent review of additional learning needs (ALN) provision in the Llanelli area. The review's findings were published in February outlining six options for the school and ALN locally. The ones that are to be explored further are two of the six. Glynog Davies, Plaid Cymru cabinet member for education, said he would propose to cabinet colleagues they further investigate the two options and that whichever one was chosen the proposed replacement Heol Goffa would be larger than the one that was shelved. "The original plan that many had pressed for would have resulted in a smaller school, which would have been full on day one," he said. "Following the independent report we commissioned by David Davies, a former ALN head, I'll be recommending either a 150-capacity Heol Goffa school on one site, with primary and secondary specialist centres for a total of 115 pupils with autistic spectrum condition attached to mainstream schools, or a new ALN school for 250 pupils, to include provision for pupils with autistic spectrum condition. "Despite huge financial pressures, we are determined to ensure the very best provision for ALN pupils in the Llanelli area, future-proofed for decades to come. I'm asking for more definite costings and, as always, we will engage with Welsh government to ensure funding for the scheme," he added. Chairwoman of campaign group Ysgol Heol Goffa Action Committee and a parent of a pupil at the school, said: "The local authority has acknowledged we do need a new school. That's fantastic. "The action committee is really pushing for a 250-pupil school." Ysgol Heol Goffa is over-subscribed, she said, and had a big waiting list with the demand for ALN education increasing. "We don't want to be in this position again in 10 years' time," she said. The independent review described "an exponential rise" in the number of children and young people with autistic spectrum condition over the last decade. He added the growth of young people identified with ALN was unprecedented in Wales. "There is no doubt that the learning environment at Ysgol Heol Goffa is not currently fit for purpose and that this must be addressed," the report added. Tech giving Welsh accents back to disabled people Pupils mocked and put in headlocks by school staff NHS home care gaps leave families feeling stranded
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Llanelli: Special school options announced after protests
Two options for a new special school are to be investigated after protests over a council's decision not to replace the existing over-subscribed special school. About 300 campaigners marched through Llanelli in September claiming Carmarthenshire council broke a promise to fund a new building for Ysgol Heol council, which u-turned on plans to shut the school last year, said it was looking at either a 150-pupil school, or one with a capacity of called the announcement "really positive". A replacement school was first proposed several years ago at the former Draka copperworks site in Llanelli. The council decided not to press ahead with it last year citing soaring project costs. The decision sparked dismay and anger among campaigners, and the council commissioned an independent review of additional learning needs (ALN) provision in the Llanelli review's findings were published in February outlining six options for the school and ALN locally. The ones that are to be explored further are two of the Davies, Plaid Cymru cabinet member for education, said he would propose to cabinet colleagues they further investigate the two options and that whichever one was chosen the proposed replacement Heol Goffa would be larger than the one that was shelved. "The original plan that many had pressed for would have resulted in a smaller school, which would have been full on day one," he said."Following the independent report we commissioned by David Davies, a former ALN head, I'll be recommending either a 150-capacity Heol Goffa school on one site, with primary and secondary specialist centres for a total of 115 pupils with autistic spectrum condition attached to mainstream schools, or a new ALN school for 250 pupils, to include provision for pupils with autistic spectrum condition."Despite huge financial pressures, we are determined to ensure the very best provision for ALN pupils in the Llanelli area, future-proofed for decades to come. I'm asking for more definite costings and, as always, we will engage with Welsh government to ensure funding for the scheme," he added. Chairwoman of campaign group Ysgol Heol Goffa Action Committee and a parent of a pupil at the school, said: "The local authority has acknowledged we do need a new school. That's fantastic. "The action committee is really pushing for a 250-pupil school." Ysgol Heol Goffa is over-subscribed, she said, and had a big waiting list with the demand for ALN education increasing. "We don't want to be in this position again in 10 years' time," she independent review described "an exponential rise" in the number of children and young people with autistic spectrum condition over the last decade. He added the growth of young people identified with ALN was unprecedented in Wales."There is no doubt that the learning environment at Ysgol Heol Goffa is not currently fit for purpose and that this must be addressed," the report added.
South Wales Guardian
11-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire County Council marks Deaf Awareness Week
The council is recognising the culture, language, and experiences of deaf children, young people, and their families. The theme highlights that communication extends beyond sound and speech, encompassing facial expressions, signs, gestures, technology, and shared understanding. The council supports more than 200 children and young people with unique communication needs, championing all approaches including British Sign Language (BSL), speech, and total communication. The council's efforts are led by six specialist qualified teachers of deaf children and young people, two of whom are parents of deaf children. The sensory impairment service, part of the additional learning needs team, has been led by a new service manager since September 2024, who is herself profoundly deaf. The council also acknowledged the contribution of teaching assistants in ensuring every deaf learner feels supported. Schools across Carmarthenshire are also playing their part in creating inclusive environments. Ysgol Parcyrhun has collaborated with the Children's Commissioner for Wales to raise awareness of BSL and deaf inclusion. Queen Elizabeth High School has developed a deaf role model programme, regularly welcoming successful deaf individuals to inspire students. Ysgol Bryngwyn arranged BSL taster sessions for every Year 7 class last term, promoting inclusivity and communication beyond the spoken word. Councillor Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education and Welsh language, said: "As a local authority, we are incredibly proud of the achievements of each one of our deaf learners and are grateful to our specialist teachers and staff for the wonderful work that they do to support our children and young people."
