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Council strengthens support for pupils with additional learning needs
Published: 23/01/2026
Cabinet members are proposing a significant 拢1.8 million investment to support children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN), following feedback from schools across 天涯社区.
The proposal will see savings arising from falling pupil numbers reinvested directly into ALN provision, increasing the funding available to schools in 2026/27 by more than 拢1.5 million. The funding will be passported straight to school budgets, giving headteachers greater flexibility to meet the needs of their learners.
In addition, the council is proposing to commit 拢300,000 to support two ALN resource units, further strengthening specialist provision and ensuring more pupils receive the support they require.
Councillor Mared Eastwood, Cabinet member for Education and Youth, said: 鈥淲e have listened very carefully to what headteachers and school governors have been telling us about the very real challenges they face in supporting learners with additional learning needs.
鈥淐abinet understands the pressures on school budgets and the increasing demand for ALN provision, and that is why we have taken the decision to reinvest savings directly back into schools. By passporting this funding straight into school budgets, we are responding to what schools have asked for and ensuring support is focused where it will make the greatest difference for pupils.鈥�
The proposal will be discussed at the council鈥檚 Education, Youth and Culture Overview Scrutiny Committee next week before going to Cabinet for final approval.