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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