Proposal to set up new Welsh-medium provision for pupils with autism

Bridgend County Borough Council is inviting views on a proposal to establish more specialist learning facilities for youngsters with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).

Having already established provision at Pencoed Primary School, Maesteg Comprehensive School and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, the council is now proposing to set up a learning resource centre at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd – the new name for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw when it relocates to Betws.

The proposed centre would enable young children who have a diagnosis of ASD to remain at a Welsh-medium primary school.

Construction work on the new Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd is due to be completed in time for the New Year, and the learning resource centre could open in April 2019, catering for a maximum of eight pupils.

Cabinet Members from the council have agreed to consult formally with the parents, staff and governing body of Ysgol Gyrnradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd and other interested parties to gather their views on the proposal.

Last year, there was overwhelming support for a Welsh-medium learning resource centre to be established at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd.

Having set that up, the logical next step is to create similar provision at one of the Welsh medium feeder schools. Due to its central location in the county borough, we feel that the new Ysgol Gyrnradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd is ideally placed for this.

The new learning resource centre would be an integrated part of the mainstream school, providing an environment in which pupils can develop and thrive within their peer group and have normal access to mainstream curriculum when appropriate.

Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration

Meanwhile, Cabinet Members have also agreed for a consultation to be held over the possible closure of the local authority’s nurture provision at Betws Primary School on 31 March 2019.

It is proposed that the four pupils who currently attend the nurture provision should either reintegrate back into their mainstream schools so that they can be taught as close to home as possible, or move to the Bridge Alternative Provision at the Bryncethin Campus.