Education “Jargon Buster”

Glossary of common education and related terminology…

Academy – Academies are independent state-funded schools. These schools have more freedom over their finances, the curriculum they teach and teachers’ pay and conditions. They are funded directly by central government rather than by the local authority. Some academies are “sponsored” and some are “converters”.

AfL – Assessment for Learning – the day-to-day assessments that include effective questioning; observations of children during teaching and while they are working; holding discussions with children; analysing work and reporting to children; conducting tests and giving quick feedback.

CiN – Child in Need (where social care are supporting a family to meet the needs of their children as part of a multi-agency approach)

CP – Child Protection (where social care are sharing the responsibility for meeting the needs of children with their family as a result of identified risk factors)

DfE – The Department for Education who are responsible for education and children’s services in England.

EAL – English as an Additional Language – Refers to children whose first language(s) is/are not English and who may not yet be speaking English fluently or even at all.

BESD – Behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

DAF – Devon Assessment Framework (a tool for multi-agency support and assessment of children’s/families’ needs)

EHCP – Education, Health Care Plan (replaced Statements of Educational Need)

EP – Educational Psychologist

EWO – Education Welfare Officer – Person employed by the Local Authority to help parents and the LA meet their statutory obligations in relation to school attendance and children’s welfare.

EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage – A framework for care and education of children from birth to five years of age.

FSM – Free School Meals

G & T – Gifted and Talented

HI – Hearing impaired

HLTA – Higher Level Teaching Assistant

ICT – Information and Communication Technology

IEP – Individual Education Plan

ITT – Initial Teacher Training

KS1 – Key Stage 1 – 5-7 years old, school years 1 and 2

KS2 – Key Stage 2 – 7-11 years old, school years 3/4/5/6

LA – Local Authority

MASH – multi-agency safeguarding hub

MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties

NQT – Newly Qualified Teacher

Ofsted – The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills is an independent organisation, which reports directly to Parliament. Ofsted inspects and regulates services, which care for children and young people and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Ofsted sets out to raise standards in British schools through regular inspections.

OT – Occupational therapist

PE – Physical Education

PP – Pupil Premium is a grant provided to schools, by the government, for disadvantaged children.

PPA – Planning, Preparation and Assessment Time (children are entitled to 10% PPA per week, or the equivalent)

PSED – Personal, social and emotional development

PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

QTS – Qualified Teacher Status

RE – Religious Education

RSHE  –  Relationships, Sex and Health Education

SALT – Speech and language Therapist

SATs – Standard Attainment Tests/Tasks – National Curriculum Tests and Tasks which take place at the end of Key Stage 1 and at the end of Key Stage 2.

SEN – Special Educational Needs Provision – Support for pupils with learning difficulties.

SENDCO – Special Educational Needs & Disability Co-ordinator

SLD – Severe Learning Difficulties

SLT – School Leadership Team

SMSC- Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

TA- Teaching Assistant

VI –Visually impaired