| Advanced Extension Award (plural, Advanced Extension Awards) |
Available since the summer of 2002 in 17 subject areas, Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs) are qualifications which aim to challenge particularly able students in post-compulsory upper secondary education, aged around 18. |
attainment target
(plural, attainment targets) |
Defines 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. Provides 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. |
core subject
(plural, core subjects) |
A compulsory subject under the National Curriculum in England and defined by it as one '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. |
| 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 |
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, usually following two years of post-compulsory upper secondary study. |
| General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) |
Is a single subject examination normally taken in a range of subjects (eight to nine is the average number) at age 16 (on completion of compulsory education). |
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 (5-16) and which is neither funded by a local authority, nor is it a special school not maintained by a local authority. |
key stage
(plural, key stages) |
Key stages are the periods in each child's education to which the elements of the National Curriculum apply. There are four key stages, which are normally related to the age of the majority of the children in a teaching group. These are: key stage 1, beginning of compulsory education, age 5 to 7; key stage 2, 7 to11; key stage 3, 11 to 14; and key stage 4, 14 to the end of compulsory education at age16. |
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. 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
(plural, local authorities) |
A locally elected body, which has a statutory duty for the provision and organisation of public services in their area, including education. (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, which may not charge fees, except for specific out-of-school activities. |
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. |
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
(plural, Pupil Referral Units, PRUs) |
Local authorities in England must establish Pupil Referral Units for the education of students who, for reasons of disability, truancy or prolonged illness, are not attending mainstream schools. |
school governing body
(plural, school governing bodies) |
All maintained schools in England must have a school governing body. This usually comprises representatives of the local authority or the foundation body, the community, parents and teaching staff. It is responsible for making decisions on the general direction of the school and its curriculum, subject to the requirements of the National Curriculum, and takes charge of such matters as target-setting. |
| Secretary of State |
A government Minister (appointed by the Prime Minister) who is responsible for a government department. |
| special educational needs |
The term used to describe the requirements of children with difficulties which require provision other than that normally available. |
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 much 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. |
| transition plan (plural, transition plans) |
A transition plan is drawn up following the first annual review of a student's statement of special educational needs after his or her 13th birthday. It draws together information to plan for the student's transition to adult life and should involve all the agencies that may play a role in the young person’s life during the post-school years. |