Jargon Buster

  • Achievement – Describes both attainment i.e. the level achieved and the progress you have made from a starting point.
  • AfL – Assessment for Learning – Assessment for Learning is the process of seeking and interpreting evidence for use by learners and their teachers to decide where the learners are in their learning, where they need to go and how best to get there.
  • APP – Assessing Pupils' Progress – APP is a structured approach to periodically assessing maths, science, reading, writing and speaking and listening skills.
  • AST – Advanced Skills Teacher
  • ATL – Association of Teachers and Lecturers
  • Attainment – The actual level attained and/or results.
  • Attainment Targets – A general defined level of ability that a pupil is expected to achieve in every subject at each key stage in the National Curriculum.
  • CiC -Children in Care
  • Core Subjects – English, maths and science: all pupils must study these subjects up to Key Stage 4.
  • CPD – Continuing Professional Development
  • DBS – Disclosure & Barring Service – DBS refers to the new agency created out of a merger between the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), its full title is The Disclosure and Barring Service. The checks and information provided same but will be branded DBS Checks.
  • DfE – Department for Education
  • Differentiation – a wide variety of teaching techniques and lesson adaptations that teachers use to pupils of differing abilities in the same class.
  • EAL – English as an Additional Language
  • EBD – Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
  • EHC Plan – Educational Health Care Plan – An education, health and care plan is a document that says what support a child or young person who has special educational needs should have.
  • EWO – Education Welfare Officer
  • FFT – Fischer Family Trust
  • FSM – Free School Meals
  • FTE – Full Time Equivalent
  • G & T – Gifted and Talented – Gifter are those with high ability in one or more academic subject and the talented are those with high ability in sport, music, visual or performing arts.
  • HLTA – Higher Level Teaching Assistant
  • HMI – Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools
  • ICT – Information and Communication Technology
  • IEP – Individual Education Plan for SEN pupils.
  • Inclusion – Removing barriers in learning so all pupils can participate at their own level.
  • INSET – In-Service Education and Training – Training for staff which takes place during the school year.
  • ISA – Independent Safeguarding Authority
  • ITT – Initial Teacher Training
  • IWB – Interactive Whiteboard
  • Key Stage one – age 5-7 (Years 1 and 2).
  • Key Stage two – age 7-11(Years 3,4, 5 and 6).
  • Key Stage three – age 11-14 (Years 7, 8 and 9).
  • LA – Local Authority
  • LAA – Local Area Agreement
  • LAC – Looked After Children
  • LSA – Learning Support Assistant
  • MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties
  • NAHT – National Association of Head Teachers
  • NASUWT – National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers
  • NC – National Curriculum
  • NGA – National Governors’ Association
  • NLE – National Leader of Education
  • NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship
  • NQT – Newly Qualified Teacher
  • NtG – Narrowing the Gap
  • NUT – National Union of Teachers
  • Ofqual – Office of Qualifications & Examinations Regulation
  • Ofsted – Office for Standards in Education
  • PE – Physical Education
  • Performance Table – Published by the DfE to compare schools' results.
  • PPA – Planning, Preparation and Assessment time to which teachers are entitled.
  • PRU – Pupil Referral Unit
  • PSHE – Personal Social Health and Economic education
  • PTA – Parent Teacher Association
  • QTS – Qualified Teacher Status
  • RAISE – Reporting and Analysis for Improvement through School Self-Evaluation
  • 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.
  • SCITT – School Centred Initial Teacher Training
  • SCR – Single Central Record – Schools must hold a single central record of all adults working with pupils. The records hold security and ID checks among other specific information.
  • SEAL – Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning
  • SEN – Special Educational Needs
  • SENCO – Special Educational Needs Coordinator
  • SIP – School Improvement Plan
  • SLT – Senior Leadership Team
  • SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (development)
  • TA – Teaching Assistant