Jargon Buster
Glossary of common education and related terminology.
AfL - Assessment for Learning - From September 2009, all UK schools were expected to implement an assessment for learning program. Day-to-day assessments would 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.
ARE - Age Related Expectations
DfE - The Department for Education - They responsible for education and children's services in England.
DSL - Designated Safeguarding Lead - The person has responsibility for ensuring the school's safeguarding policy is adhered to
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.
EBD - Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages or English as a Second or Other Language - If English is not your main language you can take part in a course to help you improve your English. These courses are called ESOL.
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.
EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage - A framework for care and education of children from birth to five years of age.
FSM - Free School Meals
GD - Greater Depth - Method used to measure a pupil’s level of understanding. Achievement is focused on the depth of understanding of the areas taught. Alongside this, the ability to apply this understanding in a variety of contexts rather than moving on to something new.
GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation
HLTA - Higher Level Teaching Assistant
ICT - Information and Communication Technology (Computing)
INSET - In-Service Education and Training - Training for teachers which takes place during the school year.
ITT - Initial Teacher Training
KS1 - Key Stage 1 - 5-7 years old
KS2 - Key Stage 2 - 7-11 years old
LA - Local Authority
LSA - Learning Support Assistant
LSP - Learning Support Plan
MFL - Modern Foreign Languages
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulties
NQT - Newly Qualified Teacher
Ofsted - The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is a non-ministerial department of the UK government, reporting 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.
PE - Physical Education
PPA - Planning, Preparation and Assessment Time
PSHE - Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
QTS - Qualified Teacher Status
RE - Religious Education
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 Co-ordinator
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulties
SLT - Senior Leadership Team
SMSC- Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development
S.T.E.M - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
TA- Teaching Assistant