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Language and Literacy Centres (LAL)

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Specific Learning Difficulties – Literacy difficulties (Reading and Spelling)

Language and Literacy Centres (LALs) provide additional support and provision for pupils attending mainstream schools in the authority that have significant Specific Learning Difficulties in Literacy as their primary need. The provision is designed to allow pupils to make progress in reading and spelling as well as enhance their self-esteem and confidence.

The pupils who will be seen as potential candidates for LAL will be the pupils who have not made progress in acquiring literacy skills (in reading and /or spelling) despite appropriate, targeted and sustained provision within their own school. Applications for a LAL place must be submitted to the LAL panel by the child’s school. This application must be made by the SENCO following discussion with the Cognition and Learning Team, and also with pupil and his or her parents in Year 4.

The LAL panel meets annually in the summer term to allocate placements in the LALs for the following year. Schools will be notified of the closing date for applications for LAL, the date of the Panel, and whether or not the pupil has been offered a place. It is the responsibility of the referring school to inform the parents whether or not their child has been offered a place at LAL. If you have a child that has been put forward for consideration for a LAL placement, please speak to your child’s school for information regarding the application.

Pupils who meet the criteria for LAL cannot be guaranteed an LAL placement. Decisions on placement within the LALs will be made by the panel on the basis of need. Those who are not offered a place at LAL will continue to need support in their own school. 

The two LALs are at The Winchcombe School and Theale Primary School.

Theale LAL                                    
Theale CE Primary School
Englefield Road
Theale
Reading RG7 5AS

Winchcombe LAL
The Winchcombe School
Maple Crescent
Newbury RG14 1LN

Theale: 01189 302239 Winchcombe: 01635 232780

Is referral required?

Yes

Do you cater for special dietary requirements? If so can you provide details?

No

Local Offer

  • General 2 What are the eligibility criteria for your service, please include any age restrictions, types of need catered for, etc

    The purpose of the Language and Literacy Centres (LALs) is to allow pupils attending mainstream schools with significant specific learning difficulties (dyslexia/literacy) to access a high level of specialist support. The pupils identified as being candidates for LAL will be those who have not made progress in acquiring literacy skills despite appropriate and sustained support within their own school.

    Schools are required to apply for places to the LAL Panel, which meets annually during the Summer Term to allocate places for the following year.

    The resource provides specialist teaching for one session a week from September to June for pupils in Year 5.

    Pupils offered places at LAL need to demonstrate a severe delay in reading, with SpLD being their primary area of SEN need.

  • General 3 How are referrals / applications made to your service, include details of who can refer/apply and referral and application process

    Applications to the LAL Panel are made by the child’s school. 

    All applications go to the LAL Admissions Panel.  This panel will meet in the summer term of each school year to decide which pupils will have LAL placements for the following year. The Panel is usually made up of:

    • The Teachers in Charge of the LALs
    • The Cognition and Learning Team
    • The Learning Support Services Manager

    Pupils who meet the criteria cannot be guaranteed a LAL place; decisions will be made by the panel on the basis of need.

    Those who are not given a place will continue to need support in their own school. The Cognition and Learning Team will arrange to meet with individual schools following the panel meeting to discuss suitable provision for these pupils (working with the school in planning the pupil’s support and provision). The responsibility for delivering and monitoring these pupils’ provision remains with the school.

    Schools will be notified of the closing date for applications for LAL, the date of the Panel, and whether or not the pupil has been offered a place.

    It is the responsibility of the referring school to inform the parents whether or not their child has been offered a place at LAL.

  • General 5 Who provides / funds your service

    Local Authority

  • General 6 Are children, young people, parents / carers charged for your service

    No

  • General 8 Feedback and complaints procedure

    Any complaints should be directed initially to the Teacher in Charge of the Resource, or to the Head teacher at the school.

    If issues remain unresolved the Service Manager for SEN and Disabled Children’s Service:


    SEN and DCT Service Manager
     
    West Berkshire Council

    Market Street

    Newbury

    Berkshire

    RG14 5LD

    Tel: 01635 519713

    Email: Neil.Goddard1@westberks.gov.uk

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