Glossary

Glossary

This page contains a list of  terms that are used in schools and alternative education provisions – some of the terminology can be confusing. You may therefore find this a useful page to help you journey through the gateways website.

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A

Active Learning

Teaching and learning approach that engages students through discussion rather than passive listening.

Access Arrangement

Exam arrangements that take account of any difficulties that may occur during exam sessions, for example using a computer for exams or having a room on your own.

ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder.

 

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

 

Alternative provision

Education for pupils who, because of school phobias, exclusion, illness, or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education.

 

Autism

A neurological disorder which can impact a person’s ability to self-regulate, communicate, and maintain relationships.

B

BTEC

Business and Technology Education Council – GCSE or A level equivalent qualifications

C

CAMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Career Coaching

Helping a student to define their goals

CPD

Continuing Professional Development (for staff).

D

DSL - Designated Safeguarding Lead

Member of staff responsible for safeguarding

DFE

Department for Education

Dyslexia

Difficulty in reading that is not associated with impairment of intellect, vision, or recognition of letters.

Dyspraxia

Difficulty in performing coordinated movements

Dyscalculia

A learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand number-based information and math.

E

EHCP

Educational Health & Care Plan

Entry Level qualifications

Foundation qualifications

F

Fixed Mindset

Outcome focused and quick to give up when things become challenging

G

Growth Mindset

Process focused and believe that intellect can be increased.

GCSE

General Certificate of Secondary Education

H

HLTA

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

I

ISI

Independent Schools Inspectorate

L

LA

Local Authority

LAC

Looked After Children

Level 1 qualifications

Ppre-GCSE level qualifications

Level 2 qualifications

GCSE or equivalent qualifications

Level 3 qualifications

A level or equivalent qualifications

Literacy

The ability to read and write

M

Mainstream education

Regular education in a non-specialised school setting

MASH

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub

MIS

Management information system holding records and timetables

N

Numeracy

The ability to understand and work with numbers.

O

OFSTED

Office for Standards in Education, Childrens services and Skills – organisation that inspects schools in the UK.

P

Project based learning

Student centred teaching method that engages students as they work through a complex project.

S

SATS

Standard Assessment Tasks

Summative assessment

Measures students learning at the end of a course.

School refusers

Students who are unable to attend school regularly, if at all

SLD

Specific Learning Disability

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

SEN

Children with Special Educational Needs such as autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc

SENDCO

Special Educational Needs Coordinator

V

Vocational Qualifications

Non-Academic alternatives to GCSE/ A level qualifications.

Q

QTS

Qualified teacher status