We know how important it is to have good communication between parents and the school. Sometimes staff use terminology and abbreviations that sometimes may seem unfamiliar to parents, so we have created this Jargon Buster page to explain and clarify. If you are still unclear, please do contact the school and we will be happy to help.

 

AfL
Assessment for Learning involves using assessment in the classroom to raise pupils’ achievement. It is based on the idea that pupils will improve most if they understand the aim of their learning, where they are in relation to this aim and how they can achieve the aim (or close the gap in their knowledge).

 

ARE
Age Related Expectations.

 

AWL
Assessment without Levels. From September 2014, with the introduction of the new Primary National Curriculum, the government assessment reforms came into force. These included National Curriculum levels being removed and not replaced. This has allowed schools to design and implement their own assessment frameworks. Read more here.

 

Catchment Area
The area from which a school takes its pupils.

 

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

 

Differentiation
The term used to describe the way in which teaching methods and the curriculum are adapted to meet the individual learning needs of learners. Although the term differentiation is most frequently found in the context of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, differentiation applies to all teaching contexts where learners have different needs and abilities.

 

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

 

EWO
Educational Welfare Officer. The person employed by the Local Authority to help parents and the Local Authority meet their statutory obligations in relation to school attendance.

 

Extended School
Schools offering services such as breakfast clubs or after school clubs or other services to help meet the needs of local families.

 

FSM
Free School Meals

 

HLTA
Higher Level Teaching Assistant. This refers to a teaching assistant who has received some additional training and is able to take on a greater level of responsibility.

 

ICT
Information, Communication Technology: using computers, programmable toys, cameras and other technological devices. ICT is a curriculum subject and children at our school are taught how to use ICT and how to ensure safe and responsible use of the Internet.

 

Inclusion
Inclusion recognises the importance of catering for diverse needs. Inclusive principles highlight the importance of meeting children’s individual needs.

 

INSET
In-Service Education and Training: Training for teachers which takes place during the school year.

 

KS1
Key Stage 1. Children aged 5 – 7 years’ old

 

KS2
Key Stage 2. Children aged 7 -11 years’ old

 

LA
Local Authority

 

National Curriculum
The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

 

NQT
Newly qualified teacher

 

Ofsted
Ofsted intended to raise standards in British schools through regular inspections.

 

P4C
Philosophy for Children. Philosophy for children is a process of critical thinking with children, which enhances self-esteem, speaking and listening and thinking skills.
P4C helps to build a 'community of enquiry' where participants create and enquire into their own questions, and 'learn how to learn' in the process. It engages them in the search for meaning, enriches and extends their understanding. It strengthens thinking, reasoning skills and builds self-esteem. It helps to develop the qualities that make for good judgement in everyday life. P4C has been developed over the last 30 years and is now practised in 60 countries.

 

PPA
Preparation, Planning and Assessment. Teachers are entitled to ten per-cent of their weekly teaching time out of the classroom. During this time, teachers will plan future lessons, mark children’s work, undertake small assessment tasks or work alongside a colleague to target a specific area of learning.

 

Reception classes
An entry class to primary schools for children who have their fifth birthday during the school year and for children who are younger or older than five with whom it is appropriate to educate them.

 

SATs
Standard Assessment Tests that are produced by the Department of Education. Pupils in Year 2 and Year 6 sit these tests. The outcomes are seen as a key school performance indicator. The results of these tests are published and availabl

 

SEND
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. A pupil is deemed to have a special Educational Need if they are finding it harder than other pupils to make progress. It is important to point out that a pupil may have a special educational need for a relatively short period of time. SEN are classified into three categories depending on the severity of the learning difficulty: School Action: a mild need; School Action Plus: a more significant need; Educational statement: a significant need. A pupil with a statement requires substantial additional support.

 

SEND Register
Special Education Needs and Disabilities Register. In order to track the progress of pupils with SEN the school keeps a register. This is updated termly. At that time some children come off the register, because they have made good progress, whilst others join it, as there is a current concern about their rate of progress.

 

SENDCo
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator. This is the person responsible for coordinating provision and support for all pupils on the SEND Register.

 

SLT
Senior Leadership team

 

SMSC
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education. This element of a child’s education is separated into 4 aspects.

 

Spiritual - Exploring beliefs and experience; respecting faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.

 

Moral- Recognising right and wrong; respecting the law; understanding consequences; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering reasoned views.

 

Social- Using a range of social skills; participating in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participating, volunteering and cooperating; resolving conflict; engaging with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance. For more about this subject click here.

 

Cultural- Appreciating cultural influences; appreciating the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participating in culture opportunities; understanding, accepting, respecting and celebrating diversity.

 

TA
Teaching assistant. A person who supports pupils’ learning but is not attached to any particular child.