| A-level(s) |
See GCE 'A' Level |
|
AS-level(s) |
See GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualification |
| Academy (plural, academies) |
City academies (see below) are now known as academies |
| Advanced Extension Award (plural, Advanced Extension Awards) |
Piloted in summer 2000 and summer 2001, and available to talented students since summer 2002, Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs) are targeted at the top 10 per cent of students in post-compulsory upper secondary education. These are single subject qualifications which aim to allow students to demonstrate their depth of understanding of a subject. |
|
attainment target (plural, attainment targets) |
Define the expected standards of students' performance by identifying distinct elements of achievement within different subjects so as to assist teachers in planning, teaching, assessing and reporting students' work. Provide the basis for making judgements at the end of each key stage on students' attainment in particular aspects of a subject. Linked to level descriptions. |
| awarding body (plural, awarding bodies) |
Organisation which awards qualifications. |
| (City) academy (plural, city academies) |
A type of independent school, catering for students of all abilities, which replace seriously failing publicly-funded schools and are managed by partnerships involving the Government and sponsors from business, the community, the voluntary sector and churches. Now known as academies, they offer a broad curriculum, but also place special emphasis on an area/areas of the curriculum, such as science and technology, modern foreign languages, visual arts, performing arts, or sport, for example. |
| City College for the Technology of the Arts (CCTA) (plural, City Colleges for the Technology of the Arts) (CCTAs) |
City Colleges for the Technology of the Arts (CCTAs) aim to provide a broadly-based, free secondary education, with particular emphasis on the technology of the arts, for students aged 11-18. CCTAs are independent of local authority control and obtain funding through sponsorship from industry and the Government. |
| City Technology College (CTC) (plural, City Technology Colleges) (CTCs) |
City Technology Colleges (CTCs) aim to provide a broadly-based, free secondary education, with particular emphasis on science and technology, for students aged 11-18. Like City Colleges for the Technology of the Arts (CCTAs) (see above), City Technology Colleges (CTCs) are independent of local authority control and obtain funding through sponsorship from industry and the Government. |
| community school (plural, community schools) |
Schools which are totally financed and maintained by the State through the local authority are known as community schools. |
| comprehensive school (plural, comprehensive schools) |
A school which, during the secondary phase, ensures that students of all academic abilities are admitted. |
| core subject (plural, core subjects) |
Compulsory subjects under the National Curriculum in England and defined by it as those 'without which other learning cannot take place effectively'. The three core subjects in England are English, mathematics and science, because competence in language, numeracy and scientific method is considered a necessary basis for the remainder of the curriculum and for all aspects of adult life. |
| cross-curricular theme (plural, cross-curricular themes) |
Strands of provision which run through the National Curriculum in England and Wales and also extend into religious education and provision outside the basic curriculum. |
| Education Action Zone (EAZ) (plural, Education Action Zones) (EAZs) |
Education Action Zones were local clusters of up to around 20 (primary and secondary) schools, in areas of disadvantage, which received additional government funding, with a view to encouraging innovation and improving standards in the participating schools. |
| executive non-departmental public body |
Bodies set up, sometimes under statute, to carry out specific functions on behalf of government. However, although they are government-funded, they are not government departments or part of government departments and their staff do not have civil servant status. |
| first degree |
A higher education qualification normally obtained after three or four years' study, although some courses take longer and may be studied part-time. Some institutions offer two-year accelerated degrees. Institutions decide on the titles of their degrees. The most common first degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). |
| foundation school (plural, foundation schools) |
A legal category of maintained school in which the governing body employs the school staff and has primary responsibility for admission arrangements. The school’s land and buildings are owned by trustees or by a charitable foundation. Foundation schools are fully funded by local authorities for both revenue and capital expenditure. |
| foundation stage |
The period of education from age 3 to the end of the academic year in which a child has his/her fifth birthday. |
| foundation subject (plural, foundation subjects) |
The other compulsory subjects which combine with core subjects and religious education to form all of the compulsory subjects of the National Curriculum at the various levels of education in England. |
| further education (FE) |
Full- and part-time education, outside the higher education sector, for persons over compulsory school age (16 years) including vocational, academic, social, physical and recreational courses. The education of people over compulsory school age is not considered to be further education when it is provided in schools. |
| GCE 'A' Level (plural,GCE 'A' Levels) |
A single subject examination normally taken at age 18, following two years of study after the General Certificate of Education (GCSE). GCE 'A' Levels are usually divided into six modules, three of which are studied in year one of the course and the final three in the second year. Successful completion of the first three modules entitles the student to the GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualification after the first year. GCE 'A' Levels are sometimes known as 'A2s'.
From September 2008, many GCE 'A' Levels will become four-module qualifications. |
| GCE 'A' Level in applied subjects (plural, GCE 'A' Levels in applied subjects |
Vocational Certificates of Education (VCEs) have been redesigned to become GCE 'A' Levels in applied subjects. These new vocational qualifications have an AS/A2 structure, comparable to existing GCEs (see above). They provide a broad introduction to a vocational area and encourage distinctive teaching and assessment approaches, within work-related contexts. |
| GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualification (plural, GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualifications) |
Set at a standard between GCSE and GCE 'A' Level, GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualifications (AS-levels) have been available since August 2000. They comprise three units/ modules, usually studied in one year. Study of a further three units - in the second year of the course - entitles the student to the full GCE 'A' Level (see above). |
| General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) (plural, General Certificates of Secondary Education, GCSEs) |
A single subject examination normally taken in a range of subjects at age 16. The GCSE is intended to be the main method of assessment at this age (under the National Curriculum assessment arrangements). An increasing range of GCSEs in vocational/applied subjects is becoming available. |
| GCSE Short Course examination (plural, GCSE Short Course examinations) |
A single subject examination based on the full GCSE and graded on the same scale, but covering fewer topics. Counting as half a GCSE, the GCSE Short Course is designed to take only half the study time of a full GCSE and can be taught over one or two years. |
| General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) (plural, General National Vocational Qualifications, GNVQs) |
Broad vocational qualifications related to a particular industry or sector of the economy and designed to offer a comprehensive preparation for employment as well as a route to higher level qualifications. GNVQs have been phased out and replaced by GCE 'A' Levels in applied subjects and GCSEs in vocational/applied subjects. |
|
grammar school (plural, grammar schools) |
In some areas of England, there are secondary schools which select all their students by ability. Schools which are designated selective schools are commonly known as grammar schools. |
| independent school (plural, independent schools) |
An independent or private school is any school at which full-time education is provided for five or more students of compulsory school age and which is neither funded by a local authority, direct from central government (for example, grant-maintained schools), nor is it a special school not maintained by a local authority. |
| key stage (plural, key stages) |
The periods in each student's education to which the elements of the National Curriculum apply. There are four key stages, normally related to the age of the majority of the students in a teaching group. These are as follows:
key stage 1, ages 5 (beginning of compulsory education) to 7, years 1 and 2.
key stage 2, ages 7-11, years 3, 4, 5 and 6
key stage 3, ages 11-14, years 7, 8 and 9.
key stage 4, ages 14-16, years 10 and 11. |
| level description (plural, level descriptions) |
Level descriptions set out standards of student performance at the end of key stages 1, 2 and 3 for all subjects of the National Curriculum. They are summary statements that indicate the types and range of performance which children working at a particular level of the National Curriculum should characteristically demonstrate. There are eight level descriptions on a scale rising from 1 to 8, and an additional level description above level 8 to help teachers in differentiating exceptional performance. 7-year-olds students are typically expected to achieve level 2. |
| local authority (LA) (plural, local authorities, LAs) |
Locally elected bodies, which have a statutory duty for the provision and organisation of public education services in their area. |
| local education authority (LEA) (plural, local education authorities) (LEAs) |
Locally elected bodies, which have a statutory duty for the provision and organisation of public education services in their area. (Most responsibilities for education are, in practice, delegated to the Education Committee of the local authority.) |
| maintained school (plural, maintained schools) |
This term refers to publicly-funded schools, financed through local authorities. Maintained schools may not charge fees, except for specific out-of-school activities. |
| middle school (plural, middle schools) |
Schools catering for children in compulsory education from the ages of 8 to 12 or 9 to 13 years. Legally, such schools are regarded as primary schools when most of the students are under the age of 11, and secondary schools when the majority of students are over 11. |
| National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)(plural, National Vocational Qualifications, NVQs) |
National Vocational Qualifications are job-specific vocational qualifications based on standards of competence defined by industry. Approved institutions deliver NVQs by structuring their own programmes to meet specified criteria laid down by the NVQ awarding body concerned. |
| pastoral care |
Guidance relating to academic, personal and social development, and attendance and behaviour given to students by school staff. |
| programme of study (plural, programmes of study) |
The knowledge, skills and processes which must be taught to students in each subject area during each key stage of the National Curriculum, in order for them to meet the objectives set out in the attainment targets. |
| reception class (plural, reception classes) |
The initial class in many primary schools in England, which provides education for children who have not yet reached compulsory school age (the term after the child's fifth birthday). |
| sandwich course (plural, sandwich courses) |
Courses (usually at further and/or higher education level) in which periods of study are alternated with periods of training and experience in industry, commerce or the professions. |
| school governing body (plural, school governing bodies) |
The body, comprising representatives of parents, members of the local community, teaching staff and the funding organisation (local authority or similar), which is responsible for making decisions on the general direction of a school and its curriculum, subject to the requirements of the National Curriculum. |
| Secretary of State |
A government Minister (appointed by the Prime Minister) who is responsible for a government department. The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is accountable to Parliament for giving direction to and controlling the public education system in England. |
| sixth form (plural, sixth forms) |
Where students follow courses of post-compulsory upper secondary education in schools, the sixth form is the term used to describe this school phase. |
| sixth form college (plural, sixth form colleges) |
Post-compulsory educational establishments in the further education sector which offer largely full-time academic courses for students aged 16-19. Sixth form colleges may also offer vocational courses. |
| special educational needs (SEN) |
The term used to describe the requirements of children with difficulties in one of the following areas: learning; behaviour; or emotional, social or physical development; which either affect their educational progress or require provision other than that normally provided. |
| special school (plural, special schools) |
Special schools provide education for children with special educational needs (SEN) who cannot be taught satisfactorily in an ordinary/mainstream school. Special schools are generally smaller than mainstream schools and have a lower student:teacher ratio. |
| statement of special educational needs (plural, statements of special educational needs) |
A formal statement which a local authority (LA) is obliged to issue and which identifies the specific educational needs of a child with special educational needs. The document also lists the special educational provision required and various other proposals to meet these needs |
| supply teacher(s) |
Staff who provide temporary cover for absent teachers. Supply teachers may be self-employed or recruited by a supply teacher agency. |
| tertiary college (plural, tertiary colleges) |
An educational establishment for the 16-19 age group, which combines the functions of a further education college and a sixth form college and which offers further education through a full range of courses, both vocational and academic. |
| Vocational Certificate of Education (VCE) (plural, Vocational Certificates of Education, VCEs) |
Vocational Certificates of Education (VCEs) have now been redesigned to become GCE 'A' Levels in applied subjects. |
| voluntary-aided school (plural, voluntary-aided schools) |
Originally established by a foundation body (usually religious or charitable), voluntary-aided schools receive all their recurrent expenditure through local authorities and are eligible for 85-90 per cent funding of capital costs. School governors appointed by the founding body (called 'foundation governors') must outnumber all the other governors including local authority appointees and parent/teacher representatives. |
| voluntary-controlled school (plural, voluntary-controlled schools) |
Originally established by foundation bodies, usually the Church of England, but whose total recurrent and capital expenditure are met by the local authority. |
| voluntary school (plural, voluntary schools) |
An LA-maintained school which was originally established by a foundation body (usually religious or charitable). Voluntary schools were subdivided into three categories by the Education Act 1944. The categories are voluntary-aided schools, voluntary-controlled schools and special agreement schools. |
| Young Applicants in School Scheme |
A pilot project where gifted and talented students in secondary schools are able to study university-level modules. |