Learn the lingo

A glossary of teaching terms and abbreviations that parents may hear throughout their child’s school years. Some terms differ depending on which UK nation a school is in.

School stages and year groups

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – England
The statutory framework covering education from birth to age five, including nursery and reception

Foundation Phase – Wales (legacy term)
The early learning stage for children aged three to seven
It has now largely been replaced by the Curriculum for Wales, but the term may still be used

Foundation Stage – Northern Ireland
The first two years of primary school (Years 1 and 2), focusing on play-based learning

Infant school

Usually refers to reception to Year 2

Junior school

Usually refers to Years 3 – 6

Reception – England and Wales
The first year of primary school (age four to five)

Primary school
School for children (aged approximately four to 11 – reception to Year 6)

Key Stages – England

· Key Stage 1 (KS1) — Reception to Year 2 (age five to seven)

· Key Stage 2 (KS2) — Years 3 to 6 (age seven to 11)

Key Stages – Northern Ireland

· KS1 — Years 3 to 4

· KS2 — Years 5 to 7

· KS3 — Years 8 to 10

· KS4 — Years 11 to 12

Progression Steps – Wales
Developmental milestones within the Curriculum for Wales

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) – Scotland
The national curriculum for (age three to 18)

CfE Levels – Scotland

· Early Level

· First Level

· Second Level

· Third Level

· Fourth Level

Broad General Education (BGE) – Scotland
Learning stage covering ages three to 15

Senior Phase – Scotland
Upper secondary stage (S4 to S6) where pupils work towards qualifications

Curriculum and learning

Curriculum
The subjects and learning taught in school

National Curriculum – England
Government framework describing what pupils must learn

Curriculum for Wales
A curriculum organised around six Areas of Learning and Experience

Northern Ireland Curriculum
Organised around Learning Areas such as language and literacy

Learning Objective (LO)
A statement explaining what pupils should learn in a lesson

STEM/STEAM
An approach to learning that combines Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to help children develop problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills through practical activities and real-world challenges

STEAM adds Arts to STEM subjects, encouraging creativity and design alongside scientific and technical learning

SPaG

Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar) is a core component of the English National Curriculum, emphasizing technical accuracy in writing from Key Stage 1 through GCSE

WALT (We Are Learning To?)
A phrase teachers use to introduce the learning objective

Differentiation
Adapting teaching so pupils with different abilities can access learning

Intervention
Extra teaching support for pupils needing help with specific skills

Catch-up support
Extra help to support pupils who have fallen behind expected learning

Continuous provision
Classroom areas where pupils choose activities independently, common in early years

Guided reading
Small-group reading sessions led by a teacher

Phonics
Teaching reading by linking sounds with letters

Phonics Screening Check – England
A reading assessment taken in Year 1

Play-based learning
Learning through structured play activities

Forest school
Outdoor learning sessions that develop confidence and teamwork

Assessments and tests

Assessment
Methods used by teachers to check progress and understanding

Baseline Assessment
Assessment used to understand a pupil’s starting point

SATs – England
Standard Assessment Tests taken at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6)

Personalised Assessments – Wales
Online reading and numeracy tests

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) – England
A short assessment completed when children start reception

SNSA (Scottish National Standardised Assessments)
Assessments in literacy and numeracy for P1, P4, P7 and S3

Transfer tests – Northern Ireland
Tests used by some grammar schools for admission (AQE or GL assessment)

11+
An entrance test used in some parts of England and Northern Ireland to determine whether a pupil can attend a grammar school. The test is usually taken in the final year of primary school (Year 6 in England or Primary 7 in Northern Ireland) and typically assesses skills such as English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning

Additional Learning Needs (SEND / ALN / ASN / SEN)

Different nations use different terms

SEN Support – England
Support provided by the school before an EHCP is considered

SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
Teacher responsible for organising support for pupils with additional needs

ALNCo – Wales
Coordinator responsible for additional learning needs

ASN coordinator – Scotland
Staff member responsible for additional support needs

Coordinated Support Plan (CSP) – Scotland
Plan for pupils requiring multi-agency support

EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) – England
A legal plan describing support required for a child with significant needs

Individual Development Plan (IDP) – Wales
Legal support plan replacing statements of SEN

Intervention
Additional teaching or support given to pupils who need extra help with specific skills or areas of learning, often delivered in small groups or short sessions alongside normal lessons

Statement of SEN – Northern Ireland
Legal document describing support required for a pupil

Teaching Assistant (TA)
A member of school staff who supports the teacher and pupils in the classroom, helping with learning activities, working with small groups or individual children, and supporting the overall running of lessons

School leadership and staff roles

Headteacher / Principal
The person responsible for leading the school

Deputy Headteacher
Supports the headteacher with leadership responsibilities

Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
The team responsible for strategic leadership and management

Key Stage Leader
Teacher responsible for a particular phase of learning

Class Teacher
The main teacher responsible for a class

Teaching Assistant (TA)
Staff member who supports teaching and learning in the classroom

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Experienced TA who may lead lessons

Learning Support Assistant (LSA)
Staff member providing additional support to pupils

Family Liaison Officer
Staff member who helps support families and communication between home and school

Education Welfare Officer (EWO)
Professional who supports school attendance

Attendance Officer
Staff member who monitors attendance

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Staff member responsible for safeguarding and child protection

School governance and types of schools

Local Authority school
A school funded and run by the local council

Academy – England
A state-funded school run independently from the local authority

Free school – England
A type of academy set up by organisations such as charities or parent groups

Grammar School – England
A state secondary school that selects pupils based on academic ability, usually through an entrance test taken at age 10 or 11 often known as the 11+ Grammar schools typically focus on a more academically focused curriculum and may prepare pupils for university study

Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)
An organisation that manages multiple academies

Maintained schools – Wales
All state schools in Wales remain under local authority control

Grant-Aided schools – Scotland
Rare schools funded directly by the government

Controlled schools – Northern Ireland
Schools managed by the Education Authority

Maintained schools – Northern Ireland
Schools typically managed by Catholic authorities

Voluntary Grammar schools – Northern Ireland
Self-governing grammar schools

Integrated schools – Northern Ireland
Schools educating Catholic and Protestant pupils together

School inspection and regulation

Ofsted – England
The inspection body for schools and early years settings

Estyn – Wales
Education inspectorate for Wales

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland

The independent inspectorate of education in Scotland, inspecting and gathering evidence across all education sectors to assess quality, support improvement and inform policy.

Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI)

Northern Ireland School inspection body

Ofqual – England

Regulator for qualifications such as GCSEs and A levels

Qualifications Wales

Regulator for Welsh qualifications

SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) 

Organisation responsible for Scottish qualifications

CCEA Regulation – Northern Ireland 

Regulates qualifications and examinations

Behaviour, wellbeing and school life

Pastoral care
Support for pupils’ emotional wellbeing

Behaviour policy
School rules promoting positive behaviour

Golden time
Reward time where pupils choose activities

House system
School teams that earn points or rewards

Buddy system
Older pupils supporting younger pupils

School council
Group of pupils representing student views

Wellbeing
Children’s emotional and mental health

Funding and Support

Pupil Premium - England
Extra funding to support disadvantaged pupils

Pupil Equity Fund – Scotland

Extra funding to support disadvantaged pupils

Entitlement Framework – Northern Ireland
Ensures pupils have access to a wide range of subjects

Community Relations, Equality and Diversity (CRED) – Northern Ireland
Programme promoting cross-community understanding

Free School Meals (FSM)
A government scheme that provides free lunches at school for children whose families receive certain benefits or have low incomes. Schools may also receive additional funding to support these pupils through programmes such as Pupil Premium

Communication systems parents may be asked to use

Many schools use digital platforms for communication, homework and payments

ClassDojo
Messaging app used by teachers to share updates, behaviour points and photos of classroom learning

Arbor
School system used for attendance, messaging parents, booking clubs and managing pupil information

ParentPay
Online payment system used for school meals, trips and clubs

ParentMail
Messaging system schools use to send letters and announcements

Seesaw
Digital portfolio where teachers share children’s work with parents

Tapestry
Online learning journal widely used in nursery and reception classes

General

Wraparound care

Childcare provided before and after the school day, such as breakfast clubs or after-school clubs. This helps support families who need care for their children outside normal school hours

School council

A group of pupils chosen to represent their classmates and share ideas about improving school life. They may help make decisions about events, playground equipment or charity activities

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Council (PC)

A group of parents, carers and school staff who work together to support the school community. PTAs often organise social events and fundraising activities to raise money for school resources or trips

After-school clubs

Activities that take place after the school day such as sports, music, art, coding or homework clubs These clubs give pupils opportunities to explore interests and develop new skills

Breakfast club

A supervised session held at school before lessons begin where children can eat breakfast and take part in quiet activities before the school day starts

Sports day

A school event where pupils take part in athletic activities such as running races, throwing or jumping events. Families are often invited to watch and support

School trips/​Educational visits 

Visits outside school that support learning such as trips to museums, nature reserves, historical sites or activity centres

School uniform

The clothing pupils are expected to wear at school. Many schools have guidelines about items such as jumpers, shirts, trousers or skirts and PE kits

Parents’ evening

A meeting where parents or carers talk with teachers about their child’s progress, achievements and any areas where extra support may help