Assisstant Headteacher - Additional Learning Needs Co Ordinator (ALNCO)

Salary: Gweler Hysbyseb Swydd

Details
Job Advertisement

ASSISSTANT HEAD - ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS CO‑ORDINATOR (ALNCO)

Wanted for: 1st of September, 2026.

Working hours: 32.5 hours a week.

SALARY: Leadership Scale L6 - L10 (£59,597 - £65,822 a year)

The Governors are keen to appoint a committed and experienced Additional Learning Needs Co‑ordinator (ALNCo) to lead and develop high‑quality ALN provision across the school.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership in line with the ALN and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and the ALN Code for Wales, ensuring inclusive, pupil‑centred provision and strong outcomes for learners with ALN.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and quality assuring Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
• Monitoring pupil progress and evaluating ALN provision
• Improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for pupils with ALN
• Implementing an effective graduated response
• Working closely with parents/carers, the local authority and external agencies
• Leading professional learning to develop staff confidence and inclusive practice
• Supporting transitions, Looked After Pupils and pupil wellbeing

The ideal candidate will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Experience supporting pupils with additional learning needs
• Secure knowledge of the ALN Code for Wales
• Strong communication, organisation and leadership skills
• A clear commitment to safeguarding and inclusion

This is an advertisement for which the ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and English is essential

Anyone interested or requiring further information is invited to get in touch to discuss informally with the Headteacher, Mrs Margaret Davies, telephone: 01248 364905

Applications for this post can be submitted online on Gwynedd Council's website or an application pack is available from the Project Lead, Miss Bethan Roberts, Ysgol Friars, Lon y Bryn, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2LN. Telephone: 01248 364905; e-mail: pennaeth@friars.ysgoliongwynedd.cymru If the application is to be returned by post, it should be returned to the above address by the closing date.

The Council will require a copy of the disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service along with confirmation of registration with the Education Workforce Council from the successful candidate before they can take up this post.

CLOSING DATE: 10:00a.m, THURSDAY, MAY 14TH, 2026.

Ysgol Friars is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Teaching degree or equivalent

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in ALN, inclusion or leadership.

Experience

Essential

• Successful teaching experience within a Primary, Special or Secondary school.
• Recent experience of supporting pupils with additional learning needs.
• Direct experience of writing, implementing and reviewing IDPs.
• Experience of working effectively with parents/carers and external agencies.

Desirable

• Experience of leading ALN or inclusion at whole school level.
• Experience of monitoring literacy and numeracy interventions.
• Experience of leading or contributing to staff professional development.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Secure, up to date knowledge of the ALN Code for Wales.
• Strong understanding of high quality teaching and adaptive practice.
• Ability to evaluate the impact of interventions using data and evidence.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to influence, support and challenge colleagues professionally.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of evidence based literacy and numeracy interventions.
• Experience of data systems used to track pupil progress.
• Ability to communicate effectively through the medium of Welsh.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Strong commitment to inclusion, equity and high expectations for all pupils.
• Child centred, values driven approach aligned with the ethos of Ysgol Friars.
• Resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence in a demanding role.
• Professional integrity, discretion and respect for confidentiality.
• Clear commitment to safeguarding, equality and pupil wellbeing.

Desirable

-

Safeguarding

The postholder will be required to complete all necessary safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, and must fully uphold the safeguarding ethos, policies and responsibilities of Ysgol Friars.

Job Description

Salary: Leadership Scale L6 - L10

Responsible to: Headteacher

Disclosure Level: Enhanced

Main Purpose of the Role

The Additional Learning Needs Co‑ordinator (ALNCo) at Ysgol Friars is a key role that provides both strategic leadership and operational oversight of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision across the school.

The postholder will ensure high‑quality, pupil‑centred provision in line with the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and the ALN Code for Wales, securing strong outcomes for pupils with ALN.

As a school, we hold the highest expectations for pupils with additional learning needs and the postholder will work closely with the wider senior leadership team to support pupils, monitor progress, ensure that our graduated response is appropriate and develop teacher's skills to meet need.

This role has a clear focus on:

• The quality, implementation and review of Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
• Raising literacy and numeracy outcomes for pupils with ALN
• Implementing and monitoring an effective graduated response
• Building strong partnerships with parents/carers, the local authority and external agencies
• Developing whole‑school staff confidence and expertise through targeted professional learning

The post holder will be responsible for

• Progress of pupils with additional learning needs
• Looked After Pupils
• Transition of ALN pupils into Ysgol Friars

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Strategic Leadership of ALN Provision

• Lead the development, implementation and regular review of Ysgol Friars' ALN policy and practices in line with the ALN Code for Wales
• Ensure inclusive practice is embedded consistently across the school through high‑quality adaptive teaching
• Work with senior leaders to contribute to whole‑school improvement planning, with a sharp focus on improving outcomes for pupils with ALN

Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

• Ensure IDPs are consistently high quality, pupil‑centred, outcomes‑focused and fully compliant with statutory requirements
• Lead and quality assure annual reviews, person‑centred planning meetings and transition arrangements
• Ensure pupils and parents/carers are meaningfully and effectively involved in the development and review of IDPs
• Monitor the impact of provision rigorously and adapt support based on evidence and pupil progress
• Develop strong, effective working relationships with the local authority to support pupils with complex or escalating needs

Literacy and Numeracy Intervention

• Identify pupils with ALN who require targeted literacy and numeracy intervention
• Design, implement and oversee evidence‑based interventions that complement high‑quality classroom teaching
• Track pupil progress carefully and evaluate the impact of interventions on outcomes
• Work collaboratively with curriculum leaders to ensure subject‑specific literacy and numeracy strategies are inclusive and accessible for pupils with ALN

Partnership Working

• Build strong, trusting and transparent partnerships with parents and carers, ensuring clear communication and collaborative problem‑solving
• Act as the key professional contact for ALN‑related matters within the school
• Work effectively with external agencies, including Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Health and Social Services
• Liaise closely with the local authority and contribute actively to multi‑agency planning and review processes

Staff Professional Development

• Lead professional learning across Ysgol Friars with a focus on:
• Understanding additional learning needs
• High‑quality adaptive teaching
• Supporting literacy and numeracy for pupils with ALN
• Coach and support teaching and support staff to build confidence, consistency and expertise in meeting diverse pupil needs
• Promote a strong culture of shared responsibility and inclusive practice across the school

Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability

• Use quantitative data and qualitative evidence to monitor progress and outcomes for pupils with ALN
• Evaluate the effectiveness of provision and interventions, ensuring impact and value for money
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date and compliant ALN records and documentation
• Support preparation for inspection, audits and local authority reviews
• Work with senior leaders to plan and implement improvement through robust, evidence‑based quality assurance processes

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• Actively promote safeguarding, inclusion, equality and pupil wellbeing at all times
• Ensure ALN provision supports positive engagement, attendance, behaviour and emotional wellbeing
• Uphold confidentiality, professionalism and ethical practice in all aspects of the role.