Last updated: 28 Sep 2007

A-Z Glossary index

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A

AB:

• Awarding Body

ACCAC:

• Qualifications Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales.

AEA:

• Advanced Extension Award

AEB:

• Associated/Southern Examining Board

Agreed syllabus:

• A non-denominational syllabus of religious education required to be used in Community schools and drawn up by a SACRE

AICE - Advanced International Certificate of Education:

• Academic 2-year program (similar to A-levels) taken between the age of 16 and 18 where students concentrate on 2 or 3 subjects while maintaining an incorporated international focus. Successful exam scores in 5 subjects after the 2-year period awards a group certificate, with designated marks of pass, merit or distinction.

AFL:

Assessment for Learning

ALI:

• Adult Learning Inspectorate

AOC:

• Association of Colleges

AQA:

• Assessment & Qualifications Alliance

ASE:

• Association for Science Education

ATL:

• Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

Attainment Targets:

• These explain what children should be expected to know and able to do at the different levels (1-8) of the foundation subjects of the national curriculum.

AVA:

• Authorised Validating Agency

AVCE:

• Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education

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B

BAC:

• British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education - A registered charity which defines and monitors standards for independent further and higher education institutions in the UK. Institutions accredited by the BAC undergo full inspection every 5 years on premises and health and safety, administration and staffing quality management, student welfare and teaching/learning.

Becta:

• British Educational Communications and Technology Agency

BEI:

• British Education Index

BELB:

• Belfast Education and Library Board

Benchmarking:

• A term used to describe a standard against which comparisons can be made.

BERA:

• British Educational Research Association

BESA:

• British Educational Suppliers Association

BSA:

• Basic Skills Agency

BTEC:

• Business and Technology Education Council

BTI:

• British Training International

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C

C&G:

• City & Guilds Awarding Body

CBI:

• Confederation of British Industry

CCEA:

• Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment

CEG:

• Career Education Guidance

CEGNET:

• National Support Program for careers education

CLAIT:

• Computer Literacy and Information Technology

CoA:

• Certificate of Achievement

COE:

• Council of Europe

Collective Worship:

• A statutory requirement in all maintained schools. Parents have a right to withdraw their children.

Compulsory Education:

• School education for all children between the ages of 5 and 16.

Connexions:

• Coordinators of work-related learning in schools with key stage 4 provision.

Core Subjects:

• English, mathematics and science - these are studied by all pupils.

CTC:

• City Technology Colleges

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D

D&T:

• Design & Technology

DEL:

• Department for Employment and Learning

DENI:

• Department for Education for Northern Ireland

DfES:

• Department for Education and Skills

Differentiation:

• The organisation of teaching programmes and methods specifically to suit the age, ability and aptitudes of individual children.

Disapplication:

• A term used where National Curriculum requirements may not apply to a pupil.

DLO:

• Desirable Learning Outcomes

DRC:

• Disability Rights Commission.

DTI:

• Department of Trade & Industry

DWP:

• Department for Work and Pensions

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E

EAB:

• Examination Appeals Board

EAL:

• English as an Additional Language

EAZ:

• Education Action Zones

EBD:

• Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.

EBPs:

• Education Business Partnerships

ECITB:

• Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

Edexcel:

• Awarding Body

EDI:

• Education Development International Plc (EDI)

EFL:

• English as a Foreign Language

EiC:

• Excellence in Cities

ELC:

• Entry Level Certificate

ELWA:

• Training for Wales National Council

Employer Funded Training (EFT)

• Figures include non-GST apprentices and others on long and short term training programmes, but exclude those who have previously received training in their current job but are not presently under training. They cover only young people who are in employment.

ENIC:

• European Network of Information Centres

EOC:

• Equal Opportunities Commission

ERIC:

• Educational Resource Information Centre

ESD:

• Education for Sustainable Development

ESOL:

• English for speakers of other languages

ESRC:

• Economic and Social Research Council

Exclusion:

• The temporary or permanent banning of a pupil from school.

Ex-NAMCW:

• National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare

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F

FE:

• Further Education

FEDA:

• Further Education Development Agency

FEFC:

• Further Education Funding Council

Foundation Stage:

• The curriculum provided for children aged 3, 4 and 5 wherever they are - includes children in 'nursery and reception' classes in schools. Requires both indoor and outdoor play to be available all day.

FSMQ:

• Free Standing Mathematics Qualification

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G

Government Supported Training (GST):

• For young people comprises Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Modern Appreticeships, Life Skills and Other Training for Young People. Until 25 March 2001, GST was funded through Training and Enterpirse Councils (TECs) and supported by employers. Since 26 March, GST has been funded through the Learning and Skills Council.

GTC(E):

• General Teaching Council for England, the professional body in England.

GTC:

• General Teaching Council

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H

HE:

• Higher Education

HEA:

• Health Education Authority

HEFCE:

• Higher Education Funding Council for England

HEFCW:

• Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

HEI:

• Higher Education Institute

HERO:

• Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the United Kingdom

HMI:

• Her Majesty's Inspectorate

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I

IB:

• The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. The Diploma Programme (formerly known as IB) is a demanding two-year curriculum leading to final examinations for students aged 16 to 19 and is a qualification that is welcomed by leading universities across the world.

ICT:

• Information Communication Technology

IEFP:

• Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional

IIP:

• Investors in People - a national accreditation that recognises effective systems, staff support and development structures in a business or organisation (such as a school).

INCA:

• International Review of Curriculum and Assessment

IOD:

• Institute of Directors

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J

JCGQ:

• Joint Council for General Qualifications

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K

Key Stage 1 (KS1):

• 5-7 years

Key Stage 2 (KS2):

• 7-11 years

Key Stage 3 (KS3):

• 12-13 years

Key Stage 4 (KS4):

• 14-16 years

Key Stages (KS):

• The four stages of National Curriculum: KSI for pupils aged 5-7; KS2 for 7-11; KS3 for 11-14; KS4 for 14-16

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L

LCCIEB:

• London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board now known as Education Development International Plc (EDI)

LEA:

• Local Education Authority.

LEARG:

• Local Education Authority Research Group

Learn Direct:

• A free advice telephone line, which offers information on adult education and courses wherever you live, and wherever you want to study (0800 100 900).

Literacy Hour:

• An hour of learning to read and write in school, broken down into various activities.

LLD:

• Lifelong Learning Division

LLL:

• Lifelong Learning

LSC:

• Learning and Skills Council

LSDA:

• Learning and Skills Development Agency

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M

MA:

• Modern Apprenticeships

MFL:

• Modern Foreign Languages

Mixed ability:

• A teaching group in which children of all abilities are taught together.

MLD:

• Moderate Learning Difficulties

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N

NACE:

• National Association for Able Children in Education

NAGC:

• National Association for Gifted Children

NAHT:

• National Association of Head Teachers

NARIC:

• National Academic Recognition Information Centre

National Curriculum:

• Covers what pupils should be taught in state maintained schools. The National Curriculum provides a balanced education for a child covering 11 subjects overall, and is divided into four Key Stages according to age.

National Numeracy Strategy:

• A government initiative which aims to raise standards of numeracy for all children in infant, primary and junior schools. It tries to involve parents as much as possible.

NBE:

• National Board of Education

NCSL:

• National College for School Leadership

NCT:

• National Curriculum Test

NCVA:

• National Council for Vocational Awards

NCVQ:

• National Council of Vocational Qualifications

NDPBs:

• Non-Departmental Public Bodies

NEAB:

• Northern Examining Board

NETTS:

• National Education Training Targets

NFER:

• National Foundation for Education Research

NGO:

• Non Government Organisation

NIACE:

• National Institute of Adult Continuing Education

NICIE:

• Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

NLS:

• National Literacy Strategy

NNS:

• National Numeracy Strategy

Notional Level:

• The level assigned to the qualification by the awarding bodies prior to accreditation by the QCA.

NQF:

• National Qualifications Framework

NQT:

• Newly Qualified Teacher

NRDC:

• National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy

NSP:

• National Skills Profile

NTO:

• National Training Organisation

NTRP:

• National Teacher Research Panel

NUS:

• ID and discount student card

NUT:

• National Union of Teachers

NVQ:

• National Vocational Qualification, a work based qualification

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O

OCA:

• Ofsted complaints adjudicator.

OCR:

• Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations

OECD:

• Operation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Ofsted:

• Office for standards in education - an official body which regularly inspects all the schools in England which are mainly or wholly state funded. Ofsted inspectors produce education reports which are meant to improve standards of achievement and quality of education, provide public reporting and informed independent advice.
  

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P

PAT:

• Professional Association of Teachers

PE:

• Physical Education

Performance Tables:

• The Department for Education and Skills publishes comparative secondary and 16-18 performance tables each year. The tables report achievements in public examinations and vocational qualifications in secondary schools and Further Education sector colleges. Primary school performance tables are published by local education authorities and report the achievements of pupils at the end of Key Stage 2.

PGCE:

• Post-Graduate Certificate of Education. A teaching qualification.

PLA:

• Pre-school Learning Alliance

PSD:

• Pupil Support Division

PSE (PSHE):

• Personal and Social / Personal, Social and Health Education - includes issues such as sex education.

PSHE:

• Personal Social and Health Education

PTA / PSA:

• Parent Teacher Association - or PSA (Parent School Association).

Pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN):

• These statements describe any learning difficulties which pupils have, and specify the extra help or equipment they need. Around 3% of school pupils nationally have statements. Some pupils with special educational needs are academically able. But schools face challenges in achieving Level 4 at Key Stage 2 for many pupils with SEN. The information on the numbers of pupils with SEN in each school helps you take this into account when looking at the school's results.

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Q

QAA:

• Quality Assurance Authority

QCA (E):

• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Enterprises Limited

QCA:

• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Qualification type:

• See under 'Qualifications' on this website for individual types of qualifications and descriptions

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R

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000:

• Schools should monitor the attainment of ethnic minority pupils have race equality policy with procedures for recording and dealing with racists incidents.

RE:

• Religious Education

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S

SACRE:

• Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education. Local statutory body, which advises on religious education and collective worship.

SCAA:

• Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority

SCE:

• Service Children's Education

SCQF:

• Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework

SEB:

• Associated/Southern Examining Board

Self-Directed Learning:

• Includes the learner initiating the learning, making decisions about what training and development experiences will occur, and how. The learner selects and carries out their own learning goals, objectives, methods and means to verifying that the goals are met.

SEN:

• Special Education Needs - Learning difficulties for which a child needs special education help. May include children with physical disabilities or emotional and behavioural disorders.

SFEU:

• Scottish Further Education Unit

SHA:

• Secondary Heads Association.

SMD:

• Schools Management Division

SMSC:

• Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Education

SoS:

• Secretary of State

SPD:

• Standards and Performance Division

SQA:

• Scottish Qualification Authority

SRA:

• Social Research Association

SSCs:

• Sector Skills Councils

SSDA:

• Sector Skills Development Agency

State Schools:

• Otherwise known as publicly funded schools and attended by over 90% of pupils. Parents do not pay any fees. Scottish state schools are maintained and controlled by the local education authority.

Statutory Assessment:

• The process, undertaken by the LEA, of assessing a child to determine whether or not s/he needs a statement of special educational needs.

Statutory:

• Required by law.

Sure Start:

• A new, innovative cross-departmental strategy to improve services for children under four and their families in disadvantaged areas. Over the next three years it will support the development of at least 250 local programmes across England. These programmes will involve parents and carers as much as possible.

SVQ:

• Scottish Vocational Qualification

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T

TCT:

• Technology Colleges Trust

TECs:

• Training and Enterprise Councils

Term:

• An 8 to 12 week academic period of study. There are normally three terms in the UK Academic year.

TES:

• Times Educational Supplement

THES:

• Times Higher Educational Supplement

TLD:

• Teaching and Leadership Division

TSC:

• Adult Learning Inspectorate

TSCP:

• Training Skills and Careers Policy Division

TTA:

• Teachers Training Association

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U

UCLES:

• University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.

UFC:

• Universities Funding Council

Ufl:

• University for Industry

ULEAC:

• University of London Examination and Assessment Council

UMS

• Uniform Mark Scale

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V

Voluntary grammar schools:

• Grant-maintained, integrated schools in Northern Ireland which take both Protestant and Roman Catholic pupils.

Voluntary Maintained Schools:

• Schools in Northern Ireland which are mainly managed by the Catholic Church.

VTC:

• Virtual Teacher Centre

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W

WJEC:

• Welsh Joint Education Committee

Work experience:

• May be defined as 'a placement on employer's premises in which a pupil carries out a particular task or duty, or a range of tasks and duties, more or less as would an employee', but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience. It provides opportunities for learning about the skills and personal qualities, careers, roles and structures that exist within a workplace or company. Students gain insights into, and experience of, personal responsibilities, competencies, key skills and tasks within the workplace.

Work-based training for young people:

• Offers those who intend to leave full-time education at the end of their compulsory schooling a work based route to skills and qualifications. In addition it offers 18-24-year-olds who can complete their apprenticeships by age 25, an alternative route to achieving qualifications which will help them progress in the labour market. Types of training include Modern Apprenticeships at Foundation and Advanced Level.

Work-related learning:

• Defined as a planned activity that uses work as a context for learning. It involves learning 'through' work contexts, 'about' work and working practices, or 'for' work by developing personal attributes and employability skills. It is an 'umbrella term' which describes a broad range of activities for learners of all ages and includes developing awareness of the local and broader economy, applications of work to the national curriculum and other subjects and learning, and careers education. It connects learners' understanding of the role of active citizen with aweareness of economy.

Work-related/vocational course:

• Terms referring to what is measureable such as attainment and attendance and progression to further education and training. Work-related learning may embody an accredited course. Work-related or vocational courses contain knowledge and in some cases skills relevant to particular sectors of industry or occupations.

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Y

YPT:

• Youth Policy Team

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