03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Special needs provision ‘moves up’ council’s 21st century school scheme

AN extension to provision for children with special educational needs in Aberaeron will “happen sooner rather than later” after it was moved up the scale in the 21st Century Schools scheme.

Additional grant funding for Band B projects already approved had “freed up funding” for the plans for Canolfan y Mor, Aberaeron with an estimated cost of £1,273,000, cabinet heard on January 28.

The Welsh Government would provide 75 per cent of the funding and the council £318,250, the final 25 per cent.

Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwyn added that the scheme was “on the horizon” in Band C and “escalating” it to the higher band would mean it will “happen sooner rather than later.”

The extension to the specialist unit at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron includes internal reconfiguration and refurbishment, new hard play area and canopy, umber decking area, removing an existing allotment area for a new turfed area and creating a new sensory garden.

The centre, established in 2014, “forms an integral part of the authority’s framework for meeting the needs of pupils with severe communication and socialising difficulties between the ages of 11 and 19.”

Cabinet member for Learning Services, Flying Start & Team around the Family Cllr Catrin Miles said she was “sure there’s a dire need by now for this space, for the number of children that they have there.”

The change in banding was approved by cabinet.

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