INCA Education around the world
Wales : Keywords
Glossary
Abbreviations and acronyms
Glossary
| A Level(s)
AS Level(s) attainment target |
See GCE 'A' Level and GCE 'AS' Level below.
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) | Organisations which award qualifications. |
| common requirements | Common requirements apply across all the subjects in the National Curriculum in Wales. The common requirements include a statement of access for all students, including those with special educational needs and those who are gifted or talented. They also emphasise the importance of providing opportunities, where appropriate, for all students to develop and apply common requirements related to communication, mathematical, information technology, problem-solving, and creative skills, alongside skills in personal and social education and access to the 'Curriculum Cymreig' (Wales-specific aspects of the school curriculum). |
| 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 Wales and defined by it as those 'without which other learning cannot take place effectively'. The four core subjects in Wales are English, Welsh, 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 subject (plural, foundation subjects) |
The other compulsory subjects which combine with core subjects and religious education (RE) to form all of the compulsory subjects of the National Curriculum at the various levels of education in Wales. |
| 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, following two years of study after the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Students usually attempt between three and five subjects, but there are no formal requirements for a minimum or maximum number. Since August 2000, all GCE 'A' Levels have been divided into six modules, three of which are studied in year one of the course (as GCE 'AS' Levels) and the final three in the second year. Successful completion of the first three modules entitles the student to the new GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualification (see GCE 'AS' Level below) after the first year. |
| GCE 'AS' Level (plural, GCE 'AS' Levels) |
Traditionally single subject examinations, introduced in 1989, to broaden the curriculum of those studying for GCE 'A' Levels. They were designed to be of the same standard as GCE 'A' Levels, but included only half the content. There were no formal requirements regarding the number to be taken, but students often took two GCE 'AS' Levels in place of one of three GCE 'A' Level subjects. Since August 2000, however, all GCE 'A' Levels have been divided into six modules, three of which are usually 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 new GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualification (which replaced the GCE Advanced Supplementary Level examination in August 2000) after the first year. GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualifications are set at a standard between GCSE (see below) and GCE 'A' Level examinations. |
| GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualification (plural, GCE Advanced Subsidiary qualifications) |
See GCE 'AS' Level(s) above. |
| GCE Advanced Supplementary Level examination (plural, GCE Advanced Supplementary Level examinations) |
See GCE 'AS' Levels above. |
| General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) (plural, GCSEs) | Replaced both the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Certificate (GCE 'O' Level) and the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) in 1988. It is a single subject examination normally taken in a range of subjects (eight to nine is the average number) at age 16, which is intended to be the main method of assessment at this age (under the National Curriculum assessment arrangements). |
| 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 examination 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) | General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) were broad vocational qualifications related to a particular industry or sector of the economy, intended for young people over compulsory school age who remained in full-time education. GNVQs were designed to offer a comprehensive preparation for employment as well as a route to higher level qualifications. The qualification is now largely phased out. |
| 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 education authority, direct from central government, nor is it a special school not maintained by a local education 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. |
| 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. Children in Key Stage 1 (aged 4/5 to 7 years) are typically expected to achieve within levels 1-3; those in Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 years of age) between levels 2-5; and students in Key Stage 3 (aged 11 to 14) within the range of levels 3-7. . |
| local authority (local authorities) (LA, LAs) | 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.) |
| 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 education authority.) |
| maintained school (plural, maintained schools) |
This term refers to publicly-funded schools, financed through local education authorities. Maintained schools may not charge fees, except for specific out-of-school activities. |
| National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) (National Assembly) |
The National Assembly for Wales (NAfW) administers and implements legislation in the education system in Wales, although primary legislation making powers still rest with the UK Parliament based in London. |
| 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. |
|
non-departmental public body |
A body which has a role in the processes of national government but is not a government department or part of one. |
| Part One General National Vocational Qualification(s) (Part One GNVQ) (plural, Part One GNVQs) | Introduced nationally in September 1999, Part One General National Vocational Qualifications were two-year courses, available in seven vocational subject areas, which were aimed primarily at students in Key Stage 4 (14- to 16-year-olds). Part One GNVQS have now been phased out and replaced by GCSEs in vocational subjects. |
| 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 Wales, which provides education for children who, at the beginning of the school year, 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 education 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. |
| sixth form | Where students follow two-year courses of post-compulsory upper secondary education in schools, the sixth form is the term used to describe this two-year 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 agreement school (plural, special agreement schools) |
Term used to describe certain voluntary schools which owe their existence to pre-1941 agreements between voluntary bodies (usually religious or charitable) and the State. Special agreement schools receive all their recurrent expenditure through local education authorities and are eligible for 85 per cent funding of capital costs. School governors appointed by the founding body ('foundation governors') must outnumber all the other governors including local education authority appointees and parent/teacher representatives. |
| 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 education authority (LEA) is obliged to issue and which identifies the specific educational needs of a child with special educational needs (SEN). The document also lists the special educational provision required and various other proposals to meet these needs. |
| 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. |
| 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 education authorities and are eligible for 85 per cent funding of capital costs. School governors appointed by the founding body (called 'foundation governors') must outnumber all the other governors including local education authority appointees and parent/teacher representatives. |
| voluntary school (plural, voluntary schools) |
An LEA-maintained school which was originally established by a foundation body (usually religious or charitable). |
