Welsh-medium primary school achieves autism awareness award
Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Cae Gurwen has become the first Welsh-medium primary school in Neath Port Talbot to be achieve the ‘Learning with Autism Primary School Award’.
The school will join 11 English-medium primary schools in Neath Port Talbot which have already received the award.
The award recognises the work schools do to promote a better understanding and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). To achieve the award, schools must take a whole school approach to raising awareness of ASD amongst teachers, learning support staff and pupils. Everyone who undertakes the award receives access to a range of learning resources and training opportunities specifically relating to ASD.
Councillor Peter Rees, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said:
“I am delighted to announce that Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Cae Gurwen will added to the list of schools in Neath Port Talbot who have achieved this award.
“The award is vital to helping everyone in a school setting to develop their knowledge and skills to support children with ASD. As set out in our corporate plan, we want to ensure all children and young people are given the best start in life so they can be the best they can be.”
The ‘Learning with Autism Primary School Award’ is a part of the Welsh Local Government Association’s programme to raise awareness of autism among primary school children in Wales.
Councillor Huw David (Bridgend), WLGA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:
“I am very pleased to see schools taking up the free bilingual ‘Learning with Autism’ programme which is intended to raise awareness of autism across whole school settings.
“All schools that have achieved this award have had to demonstrate full commitment to providing learning environments which fully support all pupils’ needs. I am delighted that Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaen Cae Gurwen has joined a growing list of primary and secondary schools which have successfully completed the ‘Learning with Autism’ programme to increase awareness and enhance understanding of the needs of autistic pupils.”
In addition to the award, the Council’s ASD Advisory Service has delivered specific training to 376 teachers and teaching assistants through a rolling programme of support.
