Additional Learning Needs experts to share valuable insights and strategies to enhance classroom practices
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) is hosting an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Conference on December 13 at Swansea Arena, bringing together passionate educators dedicated to inclusive teaching.
The conference, organised by the Athrofa, the University’s Centre for Education, will feature guest speakers, who are experts in the field of ANL to share valuable insights and strategies to enhance classroom practices to make a positive impact on the lives of pupils with ALN.
Latest Welsh Government figures for Wales show there were 74,661 pupils with additional learning or special educational needs in maintained schools (15.8% of all pupils) in February 2022.
The conference is part of the Athrofa’s professional development programme for student-teachers at the University.
UWTSD’s Assistant Dean Anna Brychan said: “The ALN and Wellbeing conference is an annual highlight for us at UWTSD. It offers our student-teachers, staff and partner schools’ access to expertise and stimulating discussion with experts across all areas of Additional Learning Needs and wider Wellbeing. We have an exciting and innovative policy context for ALN and Wellbeing in Wales; this conference examines what this looks like in practice and looks to see what we can learn from each other, what the research says, and how collectively we can ensure we offer the best possible opportunities for learners at all ages and stages.’
Speakers will include Chris Britten, Executive Headteacher at Vale of Glamorgan Federated Special Schools including Ysgol y Deri and Huw Beynon, Learning Support Team Lead at Swansea Council.
A panel formed by St Thomas Community Primary School will share Ollie’s journey – education with ALN, in a mainstream school.
Staff from Swansea’s Waterfront Museum and collaborators will discuss “Making the Museum for Everyone.”
A choir from Christchurch Primary School will bring the conference to an end with their rendition of festive favourites.
A series of Additional Learning Needs workshops will take place the following day at UWTSD;s Swansea Business Campus, tailored to address ALN in the classroom.
- From inclusive strategies to personalised student support, the expert-led sessions aim to equip participants with valuable insights and practical skills.
- Participants will be able to select 4 workshops from the range on offer including :
- An insight into the agency supporting mental health
- Trauma Responsive Pedagogies
- A toolkit of strategies to support Autistic learners in the primary classroom
- Understanding speech and language difficulties in the classroom
- Life inside a PRU – Pupil Referral Unit
- The importance of early movement
- The Role of the ALNCo in schools
- Supporting ALN – A parent’s perspective
- An insight into Dyslexia
- Physical Disability and Children; a personal perspective
- The role of a Children’s Occupational Therapist
- An introduction to Sensory Processing and how it impacts learning
- The life and times of a young carer
- A candid reflection of being a child in the care system
- An understanding of Autistic Spectrum Condition from Autism Wales.
Note to Editor
The Athrofa brings together Initial Teacher Education programmes and other professional qualifications for educators in all sectors of the education system; career-long professional learning opportunities and programmes, designed using research and close collaboration with Welsh Government, partner schools; education research expertise, projects, and expertise; and the University’s Centre for Education Policy Review and Analysis (CEPRA).
The university works closely with a network of more than 100 partner schools across south Wales, from Pembrokeshire to Monmouthshire.
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071