A 'SATELLITE' school is being set up in Powys for children with specific learning needs.

The school is to set up a in the middle of the county, near Llandrindod Wells so learners with special educational needs / additional learning needs are as near to home as possible.

Ysgol Penmaes in Brecon will base the new satellite provision at Crossgates Primary School. The satellite provision will be for pupils from across Powys, but it is hoped that it will largely benefit pupils with complex needs living close to the Llandrindod Wells area.

Powys County Council has been working on the proposal with senior leaders from both schools, who have been meeting regularly to plan and develop the provision. The satellite provision will open in September 2021.

The development of this provision is part of the council’s new strategy - The Future of Special Educational Needs (SEN) / Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in Powys – which will transform education provision for learners with SEN / ALN. The strategy was approved last November.

Although the learners will attend the satellite provision at Crossgates Primary School, they will remain on roll at Ysgol Penmaes. They will also be taught by specialist staff from Ysgol Penmaes who have a great deal of SEN / ALN experience.

Placements at the satellite provision, which will be decided by the council, will only be for those learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and / or severe communication difficulties.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “Improving SEN / ALN provision is one of the strategic aims in the council’s Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030, which was approved in April.

“One of the ambitions as part of our new strategy is for learners with SEN / ALN to be placed in a provision that meets their needs as near to home as practically possible. This new satellite provision will help the council meet this ambition.

“I’m delighted that both schools have been working on this provision, which will meet the needs of our learners with special educational needs / additional learning needs and provide them with the best possible start they deserve.”

Chair of Governors Clancy Brett (Ysgol Penmaes) and Claire Lewis (Crossgates Primary School) said: “We’re delighted to be working together to meet the needs of those learners with special educational needs / additional learning needs in our local communities.

“This collaborative working will also provide opportunities for staff training and development across both settings, which will benefit learners in both schools.”